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New Member
posted Jun 7, 2019 4:26:50 PM

I filed my 2016 taxes & 2017 taxes in January of 2018. How can I find out the status of my 2016 that was paper? When I go to the refund website, it doesn't show anything.

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1 Best answer
Level 7
Jun 7, 2019 4:26:51 PM

The Where’s My Refund site will only show the current tax year.  In order to get a status update on a prior year, you would have to actually call the IRS at 800.829.1040.  Make sure not to select the first option for a refund as that will put you in a loop for the current year.  Select the option for personal tax return and speak to a live representative.  They will be able to track your status.  Of course, phone wait times are likely to be long, so unless there is a reason you are concerned, you should probably give them sufficient time to process your prior year return.  It will take longer than a normal current year return because it was paper filed.

3 Replies
Level 7
Jun 7, 2019 4:26:51 PM

The Where’s My Refund site will only show the current tax year.  In order to get a status update on a prior year, you would have to actually call the IRS at 800.829.1040.  Make sure not to select the first option for a refund as that will put you in a loop for the current year.  Select the option for personal tax return and speak to a live representative.  They will be able to track your status.  Of course, phone wait times are likely to be long, so unless there is a reason you are concerned, you should probably give them sufficient time to process your prior year return.  It will take longer than a normal current year return because it was paper filed.

Level 2
Aug 31, 2021 12:22:38 PM

Is there rough timelines are how long does it take to process the prior year tax returns? 

Level 15
Aug 31, 2021 12:36:36 PM

Currently you can expect a prior year paper return to take at LEAST 6 months to a year to process.