How to check the status of a mailed paper return you already sent?

[VolvoGirl]

The only other way to know is if you got a tracking number from the post office when you mailed it.

[antanikacole]

Where is my refund

[DoninGA]

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@antanikacole wrote:

Where is my refund

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The IRS is seriously behind in processing 2020 tax returns.  This is due to many factors, such as the pandemic, completing processing of millions of 2019 tax returns, stimulus payments, unemployment compensation exclusion tax refunds., changes in the tax code by Congress in the middle of the 2020 tax season and the like.

Millions of taxpayers have not yet received there federal tax refunds.

Go to this IRS website for operational status - https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-operations-during-covid-19-mission-critical-functions-continue

As of June 23, 2021, we had 17.5 million unprocessed individual returns in the pipeline. Unprocessed returns include tax year 2020 returns such as those requiring correction to the Recovery Rebate Credit amount or validation of 2019 income used to figure the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC). This work does not require us to correspond with taxpayers but does require special handling by an IRS employee so, in these instances, it is taking the IRS more than 21 days to issue any related refund. If, as a result, a correction is made to any RRC, EITC or ACTC claimed on the return, the IRS will send taxpayers an explanation. Taxpayers are encouraged to continue to check Where’s My Refund? for their personalized refund status and can review Tax Season Refund Frequently Asked Questions.

What you should do: If you filed electronically and received an acknowledgement, you do not need to take any further action other than promptly responding to any requests for information. If you filed on paper, check Where’s my refund? If it tells you we have received your return or are processing or reviewing it, we are processing your return, but it may be under review. We’re working hard to get through the backlog. Please don’t file a second tax return or contact the IRS about the status of your return.

[lzepper701]

I mailed my Fed taxes on Feb 12th.  Check My Refund is still stating that I must have put in the wrong information.  I do know they got it because I went against the rules in May and filed another return via Turbotax.  IRS rejected it because the same soc. sec. # can't be filed more than once in the same year.  So at least I know they got it. When I don't know. 

No status has ever been put into Check My Refund so where is it?  It's now 4 months.  I have written to my state representative, and senator for my area in MD.   No answers yet. 

I understand the delay, that's not the problem, but not the missing.status. I'd just like to know what's happening.   LYNN

[xmasbaby0]

@lzepper701

MAILED RETURNS

Per the IRS:

COVID-19 Mail Processing Delays

It’s taking us longer to process mailed documents including:

• Paper tax returns, and
• All tax return related correspondence.

We are processing all mail in the order we received it.

Do not file a second tax return or call the IRS.

 It can take 3-4 weeks  (or a LOT longer since the IRS is severely backlogged) for anything to show up on the IRS site when you mail a tax return.  Expect at least 6-8 weeks for complete processing of a mailed return and probably  MUCH MUCH longer.

If  you mail a tax return (or a payment) to the IRS, it is a good idea to use a mailing service that will track it like UPS or certified mail so you will know it was received.

When you mail a tax return, you need to attach any documents showing tax withheld, such as your W-2’s or any 1099’s. 

TurboTax will not know anything about your mailed return, and will continue to show “Ready to Mail” on your account.  TurboTax will not know that you put your tax return in an envelope and took it to a mailbox.  TurboTax does not get updates on mailed  (or e-filed) returns.

When the IRS opens its mail and begins to process mailed returns you can check the status on the IRS site. https://www.irs.gov/refunds

State returns have to be mailed to the state.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899433-how-do-i-track-my-state-refund

If you are wondering if you should send your return again——the IRS does not want you to file a second time.   Putting two tax returns into the system at the same time can lead to confusion and even more delays.   If you did not use tracking and do not know if the return was received—-you have to make your own judgement call and decide if you want to risk further delay by sending the return again.

[Michelle Fedl]

T.tax sent after preparing no errors, irs cant locate my return in system????

[mesquitebean]

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@Michelle Fedl  wrote:

T.tax sent after preparing no errors, irs cant locate my return in system????

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While frustrating, that's not uncommon.  The IRS has been inundated and backlogged due to staff shortages and all sorts of other duties in addition to processing tax returns, stimulus payments, late tax law changes, etc.

I don't know with certainty what "TurboTax sent" means??  I'll assume that means you efiled, since TurboTax does not mail any paper returns for you.   Did you efile, or did you print and mail a paper return?  A mailed return can take several weeks to show up in the IRS system, and can take several weeks to manually process.   The IRS is currently 16 million returns behind in processing any returns that require manual processing.

If you efiled, you should double-check to be sure the return was efiled successfully and accepted.
If you used Online TurboTax, you can sign into your Online Account and check the efile status at the Tax Home.

If that showed your efiled return was accepted (or if you printed and mailed the return longer than 4 weeks ago), you can use the "Where's My Refund" tool at the IRS website below to monitor the status of your Federal refund.  
https://www.irs.gov/Refunds

TIPS when using the IRS WMR tool:

• Be sure you have waited at least 24 hours after acceptance before using the IRS WMR tool.  Or if you filed a paper return in postal mail, wait at least 4 weeks before using it.
• Be sure you enter the correct SSN and filing status.
• Be sure you are using only the Federal refund amount.   Do not include any state refund or any total refund or net refund (Fed and State) that TurboTax may have provided on a screen.  
• Also be sure you are using the Federal amount before any TurboTax fees are taken out (if you chose that option.)
• Look at your actual Federal return to get the Federal refund amount, i.e., your Form 1040, Line 35a.

• You can also try phoning the IRS refund hotline.  I've seen it work for some users when the WMR tool didn't.  800-829-1954

[Thaboss]

Sent my tax by mail& it was registered mail.  Checking to see if the irs. Have my paper tax rerurn

[xmasbaby0]

@Thaboss 

You do not say how long ago you mailed it.  If you got a receipt then you know the IRS has the return.   You may still have a long wait before you see anything about it on the IRS refund site.

MAILED RETURNS

Per the IRS:

COVID-19 Mail Processing Delays

It’s taking us longer to process mailed documents including:

• Paper tax returns, and
• All tax return related correspondence.

We are processing all mail in the order we received it.

Do not file a second tax return or call the IRS.

 It can take 3-4 weeks  (or a LOT longer since the IRS is severely backlogged) for anything to show up on the IRS site when you mail a tax return.  Expect at least 6-8 weeks for complete processing of a mailed return and probably  MUCH MUCH longer.

If  you mail a tax return (or a payment) to the IRS, it is a good idea to use a mailing service that will track it like UPS or certified mail so you will know it was received.

When you mail a tax return, you need to attach any documents showing tax withheld, such as your W-2’s or any 1099’s. 

TurboTax will not know anything about your mailed return, and will continue to show “Ready to Mail” on your account.  TurboTax will not know that you put your tax return in an envelope and took it to a mailbox.  TurboTax does not get updates on mailed  (or e-filed) returns.

When the IRS opens its mail and begins to process mailed returns you can check the status on the IRS site. https://www.irs.gov/refunds

State returns have to be mailed to the state.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899433-how-do-i-track-my-state-refund

If you are wondering if you should send your return again——the IRS does not want you to file a second time.   Putting two tax returns into the system at the same time can lead to confusion and even more delays.   If you did not use tracking and do not know if the return was received—-you have to make your own judgement call and decide if you want to risk further delay by sending the return again.

[Prettygirl50]

How can I check to see if the IRS has accepted my 1040 taxes?

[Thaboss]

Yes I would love to know

[lzepper701]

Check My Refund has not entered a status for me. 

I mailed tax return on 2/12/21. In May, I thought it was lost in the mail so I sent it again- via Turbo tax. This was rejected since they won't accept more than one of the same social security # in the same year.   So I now know the original was received. 

Have tried everything to status- nothing worked. 

I have written to Senators,(no reply), Turbotax (can't help),  Called (never get through), Called and wrote to Tax Advocate (no answer, no reply)    No help anywhere. 

Just waiting when I have no status is not reasonable.  I need my refund.

Do I have any other options? It's now 5 months.  Help

Lynn

[Cindy Ford]

I mailed my tax return for 2020 prior to the deadline in July.  I need to check on the status of my return. Have you received it?  I filed and l am expecting my refund for the amount of $600. this is for the second  impact, stimulus check that l never received. Please give me an update. Thanking you in advance.

[VolvoGirl]

The deadline for 2020 returns was May 17, 2021 unless you are in a disaster area.

Mailed returns will take a long time.  They might not have opened your return yet.

You are not alone. Millions are still waiting. Turbo Tax only gives you an estimated date. The IRS usually pays most refunds within 21 days. But these are not normal times. This year is taking the IRS longer to send the refunds. There are millions more people filing returns to get the Stimulus payment.

See this news article on Refunds being delayed
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/personalfinance/where-is-my-damn-irs-tax-refund-new-answers-emerge-a...

Only the IRS can tell you. If your return was Accepted then check IRS Where's my refund
https://www.irs.gov/refunds/

When will you get your refund?
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/refund-status/help/when-will-i-get-my-irs-tax-refund/01/25589

IRS - Questions about Refunds
https://www.irs.gov/refunds/tax-season-refund-frequently-asked-questions

[Prettygirl50]

How to find out about mailed tax return