I mailed my IRS tax return in March. I checked online but it seems the return has not been received by the IRS. What should I do?

[xmasbaby0]

Keep waiting.   It is taking the IRS six to nine months to process mailed returns

  Until a human opens your envelope and enters the data into the system, nothing will even show up on the refund site, so you will have to be very patient.

[NCperson]

@dannyrervin-outl - do nothing! have patience! the IRS is woefully backlogged, especially on paper filed returns.  the status will not appear on the WMR tool until they begin processing and that is running 6-9 months from the time you filed.  THis is from the IRS website: 

As of August 5, 2022, we had 9.7 million unprocessed individual tax year 2021 returns. Of these, 1.8 million returns require error correction or other special handling, and 7.9 million are paper returns waiting to be reviewed and processed. This work does not typically 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 and in some cases this work could take more than 120 days. If a correction is made to any Recovery Rebate Credit, Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit claimed on the return, the IRS will send taxpayers an explanation. Taxpayers are encouraged to continue to check Tax Season Refund Frequently Asked Questions.

How long you may have to wait: The IRS understands the importance of timely processing of tax returns and refund issuance. and continue to work the returns that need to be manually reviewed due to errors. We have processed all error free returns received prior to January 2022 .  We are continuing to reroute tax returns and taxpayer correspondence from locations that are behind to locations where more staff is available, and we are taking other actions to minimize any delays. Tax returns are opened and processed in the order received. As the return is processed, whether it was filed electronically or on paper, it may be delayed because it has a mistake including errors concerning the Recovery Rebate Credit and the Child Tax Credit, is missing information, or there is suspected identity theft or fraud. If we can fix it without contacting you, we will. If we need more information or need you to verify that it was you who sent the tax return, we will write you a letter. The resolution of these issues could take more than 120 days depending on how quickly and accurately you respond, and the ability of IRS staff trained and working under social distancing requirements to complete the processing of your return.

What you should do: In most instances, no further action is needed but you may check Where’s My Refund? or you can view your account. 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. If you filed before January 2022 and Where’s My Refund? does not have any information, your return has been opened but work on it has not begun. We’re working hard to get through the carryover inventory. Please don’t file a second tax return or contact the IRS about the status of your return.

[NCperson]

@xmasbaby0 - appears there is progress....

As of June 24, 2022, we had 11.2 million unprocessed individual returns which include returns received before 2022, and new tax year 2021 returns. Of these, 1.9 million returns require error correction or other special handling, and 9.3 million are paper returns waiting to be reviewed and processed

As of July 15, 2022, we had 11 million unprocessed individual tax year 2021 returns. Of these, 1.9 million returns require error correction or other special handling, and 9.1 million are paper returns waiting to be reviewed and processed. 

As of July 22, 2022, we had 10.5 million unprocessed individual tax year 2021 returns. Of these, 1.7 million returns require error correction or other special handling, and 8.8 million are paper returns waiting to be reviewed and processed.

As of July 29, 2022, we had 10.2 million unprocessed individual tax year 2021 returns. Of these, 1.8 million returns require error correction or other special handling, and 8.4 million are paper returns waiting to be reviewed and processed. 

As of August 5, 2022, we had 9.7 million unprocessed individual tax year 2021 returns. Of these, 1.8 million returns require error correction or other special handling, and 7.9 million are paper returns waiting to be reviewed and processed.

if  the backlog is dropping 400,000 per week and let's assume 50,000 new ones appear each week, that means they are processing 450,000 per week.  if someone submited a paper return today, then it will take 17.5 weeks (7.9 million divided by .45mm to get to the front of the line - that takes until mid- December.... that is only a 4ish month wait. 

no real progress on error corrections,though