I mailed my tax returns and haven't heard anything back.

[jt_sawyer813]

How long until I should hear a response?

[DoninGA]

The IRS and/or your State do not acknowledge receipt of a tax return.

If you have a tax refund you can check the status of the refund.

Use the federal tax refund website to check the refund status - https://www.irs.gov/refunds

Use this TurboTax support FAQ to check the state tax refund status - https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899433-how-do-i-track-my-state-refund

[e-wright84901]

Hello Samantha Reed I maiked my Return sometime in march mid march haven't heard anything I truee to call the 1800 put my info in still nothing what's going on? I need answers please help

[mesquitebean]

---

@e-wright84901 wrote:

I maiked my Return sometime in march mid march haven't heard anything I truee to call the 1800 put my info in still nothing what's going on? I need answers please help

---

In "normal times" if you filed by mail, it can take about 6 weeks to get a Federal refund.  However, these are definitely not normal times.   With the Coronavirus situation creating marked personnel shortages at the IRS all bets are off.  Processing of paper returns at the IRS is markedly limited.  So expect a delay.

The IRS has said on its website:

To protect the public and employees, and in compliance with orders of local health authorities around the country, certain IRS services such as live assistance on telephones, processing paper tax returns and responding to correspondence are extremely limited or suspended until further notice.

If you filed by mail, then hopefully you printed, signed, dated, and mailed the return.  TurboTax does not mail it for you.   And if you had both Federal and state returns, hopefully you mailed the Federal return to the IRS and the state return to the state tax ageny.

If it has been at least 4 weeks since you mailed it, it might show up in this IRS "Where's My Refund" tool, depending on whether there has been enough IRS staff at work to enter it into their system yet:

https://www.irs.gov/refunds

NOTE: When using that tool, use only the Federal refund amount, and not any total refund amount that includes a state refund.
The amount to use is on your Federal Form 1040, Line 21a.

[mesquitebean]

In "normal times" if you filed by mail, it can take about 6 weeks to get a Federal refund.  However, these are definitely not normal times.   With the Coronavirus situation creating marked personnel shortages at the IRS all bets are off.  Processing of paper returns at the IRS is markedly limited.  So expect a delay.

The IRS has said on its website:

To protect the public and employees, and in compliance with orders of local health authorities around the country, certain IRS services such as live assistance on telephones, processing paper tax returns and responding to correspondence are extremely limited or suspended until further notice.

If you filed by mail, then hopefully you printed, signed, dated, and mailed the return.  TurboTax does not mail it for you.   And if you had both Federal and state returns, hopefully you mailed the Federal return to the IRS and the state return to the state tax ageny.

If it has been at least 4 weeks since you mailed it, it might show up in this IRS "Where's My Refund" tool, depending on whether there has been enough IRS staff at work to enter it into their system yet:

https://www.irs.gov/refunds

NOTE: When using that tool, use only the Federal refund amount, and not any total refund amount that includes a state refund.
The amount to use is on your Federal Form 1040, Line 21a.

[Amberkaylalala]

It's been 12 weeks since I mailed mine in. 12 weeks from the verified date they received it. The "wheres my refund" tool doesn't recognize my info. My state was accepted immediately. This has ruined my stimulus pay. If anything changes for you let me know. I've tried calling so many different irs numbers. All automated and hang up. Or tell you to use the "wheres my refund" tool. 

[DoninGA]

The IRS has stopped processing paper tax returns.

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

The IRS is not currently able to process individual paper tax returns. If you already have filed via paper but it has not yet been processed, do not file a second tax return or write to the IRS to inquire about the status of your return or your Economic Impact Payment. Paper returns will be processed   once processing centers are able to reopen.

[Carina498]

Hey I mailed my papers to the IRS about 3 weeks ago and haven’t heard anything or got mail , should I try efiling? What does this mean ?

[xmasbaby0]

No--do not e-file.  You have already filed a tax return.  Mailing it means you will have a longer wait.

MAILED RETURNS

Per the IRS website IRS Operations During COVID-19: Mission-critical functions continue: The IRS is not currently able to process individual paper tax returns. If you already have filed via paper but it has not yet been processed, do not file a second tax return or write to the IRS to inquire about the status of your return or your economic impact payment. Paper returns will be processed  once processing centers are able to reopen. 

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 finally 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

https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/20/politics/irs-mail-trailers-covid/index.html

[BillM223]

@Spring14

Did you have a question?

As noted above, IRS processing for paper returns has come virtually to a stop because of the current situation.

Unfortunately, we at TurboTax have no inside information about the status of paper-filed returns.

You will need to contact the IRS, if and when they get enough staff back to the office to answer the phones.

[srowe1120]

I mailed my tax return to both federal and state. I have heard nothing from the federal and the "where's my refund" section on the IRS page does not recognize my information (I'm assuming because my taxes haven't been processed"  I understand the IRS is behind, but I did receive my state refund already. Is there anyway to just switch to efiling? How can I even confirm the federal government received my filing? 

[xmasbaby0]

@srowe1120

MAILED RETURNS

Per the IRS website IRS Operations During COVID-19: Mission-critical functions continue: The IRS is not currently able to process individual paper tax returns. If you already have filed via paper but it has not yet been processed, do not file a second tax return or write to the IRS to inquire about the status of your return or your economic impact payment. Paper returns will be processed  once processing centers are able to reopen. 

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 finally 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

https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/20/politics/irs-mail-trailers-covid/index.html

[rdmcclintock]

Mailed my return on May 1 and have not heard anything back.  ived checked their website numerous times.  They dont say they have received it.

[xmasbaby0]

@rdmcclintock

MAILED RETURNS

The IRS has just started to work through millions of mailed returns that have been piling up in trailers during the pandemic.  All you can do is watch the IRS refund site to see when your return makes it to the surface and goes into processing. Sorry.

Per the IRS website IRS Operations During COVID-19: Mission-critical functions continue:

IRS operational status and alternatives

Processing Delays for Paper Tax Returns: Taxpayers should file electronically through their tax preparer, tax software provider, or IRS Free File. 

We’re experiencing delays in processing paper tax returns due to limited staffing. If you already filed a paper return, we will process it in the order we received it.

Do not file a second tax return or contact the IRS about the status of your return.

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 finally 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

https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/20/politics/irs-mail-trailers-covid/index.html

[rdmcclintock]

Good to know do not efile and just wait.  I was worried they didnt recive but remember mailing same time as state and got that back right away.  Sounds like they've kinda shut down paper returns?  I mailed it May 1

[rdmcclintock]

I'm having exact same issue and mailed mine on May 1