How long does it take IRS to process return.

[Chad Keller]

Hello,

Long story short, I'm currently under contract to buy a house in late January and found out my 2018 taxes never got filed. I filed for extension and mailed out before deadline, but my taxes never got filed. Must have got lost in mail. I resent certified and got there on Thursday the 19th. How quickly does IRS take to process the return, knowing that I'm not expecting a refund since I paid. I just need it so my lender pulls a 4506-T and can pull transcripts.

Thanks you

[Bsch4477]

Count on at least 6 weeks.

[Chad Keller]

Have you heard of being filed quicker than 6 weeks? I'm suppose to close on the 22nd, and that seems really close to the deadline. 

[DoninGA]

---

@Chad Keller wrote:

Have you heard of being filed quicker than 6 weeks? I'm suppose to close on the 22nd, and that seems really close to the deadline. 

---

The IRS will not start accepting any type of 2019 tax return until January 15, 2019.  It could be 3 weeks or longer after the IRS receives the e-filed tax return before the IRS processes, approves and sends a tax refund.

[Chad Keller]

This is for a 2018 tax return that never got filed. I'm not worried about refund since I'm not getting one since I had to pay additional taxes. I just need it filed. I sent my taxes and was received by IRS on the 19th certified mail. 

[DoninGA]

---

@Chad Keller wrote:

This is for a 2018 tax return that never got filed. I'm not worried about refund since I'm not getting one since I had to pay additional taxes. I just need it filed.

---

For a mailed tax return the IRS usually processes the return within 6 weeks after the return is mailed.

If you owe taxes on the 2018 return you can pay those taxes on the IRS payment website using Direct Pay - https://www.irs.gov/payments

[Chad Keller]

I've already paid what I owed. Most likely I over paid. I just need the taxes filed so my lender can pull a transcript. I wasn't sure if there was any individual or anyone knew if it goes the full 6 weeks to process or if it processes sooner that 6 weeks, like 3 or 4 weeks. 

[rjs]

Your question is really how soon a transcript will be available. I'm not sure that happens instantly after the return is processed, especially for a past year. I suggest that you discuss with the lender whether they could be a little flexible about the requirements. Maybe they would accept a copy of the tax return and the certified mail proof of delivery. Sometimes the first-line lender representatives just rigidly follow a checklist. Ask to talk to someone higher up. Your real estate broker or mortgage broker might be able to help, too.