I still haven’t received my federal refund from 2019 and not sure what to do. Its impossible to reach a real person at the IRS.

[xmasbaby0]

There are a lot of delays for 2019  federal refunds.  Did you mail your return or e-file?

If you mailed it:

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

Or......

Did you e-file?  Did you click a big orange button that said “Transmit my returns now?”

When you e-file your federal return you will receive two emails from TurboTax.  The first one will say that your return was submitted.  The second email will tell you if your federal return was accepted or rejected.  If you e-filed a state return, there will be a third email to tell you if the state accepted or rejected your state return.

First, check your e-file status to see if your return was accepted:

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/efile-status-lookup/

If the IRS accepted it, what does it say here? 

https://www.irs.gov/refunds        

  Or does your account say “Ready to Mail?”

Note: If it says “Ready to Mail” or “Printed” that means YOU have to mail it yourself.  TurboTax does not mail your tax return for you.

If your e-file was accepted:

To check on regular tax refund status via automated phone, call 800-829-1954. (This line has no information on Economic Impact Payments.)

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/efile-status-lookup/

TurboTax gives you an estimated date for receiving your refund based on a 21 day average from your date of acceptance, but it can take longer.  Many refunds are taking longer during the pandemic. 

Once your federal return has been accepted by the IRS, only the IRS has any control. TurboTax does not receive any updates from the IRS. Your ONLY source of information about your refund now is the IRS.

You need your filing status, your Social Security number and the exact amount  (line 20 of your Form 1040) of your federal refund to track your Federal refund:   

https://www.irs.gov/refunds

To track your state refund:    

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

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901548-why-do-some-refunds-take-longer-than-others

If you chose to have your TurboTax fees deducted from your federal refund, that will take some extra time, while the third party bank handles the refund processing.

https://www.irs.gov/refunds/tax-season-refund-frequently-asked-questions

To call the IRS:IRS:  800-829-1040  hours 7 AM - 7 PM local time Mon-Fri

Listen to each menu before making the selection.

First choose your language. Press 1 for English.

Then do NOT choose the first choice re: "Refund", or it will send you to an automated phone line.

Instead, press 2 for "personal income tax".

Then press 1 for "form, tax history, or payment".  

Then press 3 "for all other questions."

Then press 2 "for all other questions."  It should then transfer you to an agent.

TAX ADVOCATE

At the following IRS website, find the USA map and click on your state, and it will give you the number of your area's IRS Taxpayer Advocate.

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Contact-a-Local-Taxpayer-Advocate

Also see this article for more info on how the Taxpayer Advocate Service works::
http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc104.html

[bogus9644]

So I did e-file and it said my return was expected. However, I received a letter from the IRS stating it was under review and should only take a few months. Then I got the same letter in July. I’m assuming that because I’m military and was deployed for six months and didn’t pay tax’s on deployed money that it raised red flags but that should be pretty easy for them to figure out I would think. Anyways since July I haven’t heard anything from the IRS so I’m wondering if there’s anything I can do to reach out to someone and get this figured out. I have been checking on my return through the IRS app. All year 2020 it said it’s still being processed but I checked it today and now it says my information doesn’t match so it can’t find anything. I’m thinking the new year has it all messed up now. 

[xmasbaby0]

TurboTax cannot intercede with the IRS for you or speed them up.  Your best hope is either to call the IRS or contact an Advocate.

[jamiebus]

I sent in a paper return because my efile was rejected, this was back in July I still haven't received my refund yet, and have filed my 2020 taxes already I will get those before I get my refund from 2019. 

[VolvoGirl]

No one knows which will come first.  Did you efile 2020?  If they haven't finished processing 2019 yet  then if your 2020 efile rejects for the AGI then enter 0 for the AGI and resend it.

[EbonyL122824]

@jamiebus You would need to contact the IRS for further assistance regarding this matter as they are the only ones that can look into your account. Their phone number is 800-829-1040. When calling, be sure to have the following:

• Your Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
• Your filing status (Single, Head of Household, Married Filing Joint, or Married Filing Separate)
• Your prior-year tax return (they may ask you questions from it to verify your identity)
• A copy of the tax return you’re calling about
• Any letters they may have sent you
• Paper and pen to take notes—make sure to write down the day you called and the name and ID number of the agent you spoke to, as well as any instructions or deadlines you were given.

Please note: You may experience a delay, long hold times, or a busy signal when trying to contact them as the IRS lines are extremely busy at this time of year.

[Mykidsno1fan]

I found this thread a few weeks ago when searching for answers to my own (VERY) similar situation except I am not military.

I followed the recommended steps shown in this thread (Thank you Intuit) and was on the phone with a REAL PERSON with the IRS for over an hour, after holding to just be connected to a person for about 2 hours.

Like you I had received 2 letters last year, both telling me I needed to wait for them. Both letters stated there was nothing I needed to do and that they had 60 days to get back to me. I never heard another peep after July of 2019! Last month (February) the person I spoke with said I needed to contact AQC (Automated Questionable Credit) to verify some info. I spoke with a representative at AQC the next morning and was told I needed to verify some of my income and to either mail or fax the documents. I faxed them!! The person at AQC also notified me that my 2020 returns have an issue and I will have to verify my IDENTITY but, that I must wait until they send me a letter stating what is needed. It has been nearly a month since I spoke with someone & faxed my needed documents for 2019 and I have not received anything in return as of yet. Also to note that I filed my 2020 taxes the first week of February. This is beyond frustrating as my stimulus payments are also held up with this!! I am wondering if you made any progress?

[ReneeM7122]

Unfortunately, while TurboTax is working hard with the IRS to receive guidance as to how to update its software for the purpose of accommodating our customers needing to make changes due to the American Rescue Plan, the IRS does have delays in updating their payment tracking tools.  Please sit tight and rest assured that we are doing what we can to assist our customers to the best of our ability.  In the meantime, please follow these articles, as they are updated:

What if my IRS refund is taking longer than 21 days?

How will the third stimulus impact me? 

@Mykidsno1fan