Hello - we snail mailed our taxes April 14, 2022, and are due a refund. We did not bother with tracking since it was a refund unfortunately. On IRS it still shows not processed, and there is a letter there that no tax return was received. It's been over 4 months. At this point, should we refile electronically, or mail again with tracking? It would not be an amendment as there are no changes....just basically file again, and assume lost in the mail? I've tried calling IRS for days to ask if I should "re-file" and always get, this topic is full for the day, try again the next business day. We've learned our lesson by the way.
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the IRS does not want a second return. mailed returns take 6 to 9 months or longer to process. until it gets into the processing system the IRS doesn't even know it has it. so calling won't help and nothing will show up on WMR.
MAILED RETURNS
IRS link pertaining to processing of 2021 returns:
It can take 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.
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 judgment call and decide if you want to risk further delay by sending the return again.
@mountaindays DO NOT REFILE. Assume paper filing will take 6-9 months from the time you filed. THe IRS processes in the order received and from posts on this board and Facebook, it appears the IRS is working on paper files that were received in late Feb and Early March.
this is from the IRS website:
The IRS is opening mail within normal timeframes and all paper and electronic individual returns received prior to January 2022 have been processed if the return had no errors or did not require further review.
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. We have processed all error free returns received prior to January 2022 and continue to work the returns that need to be manually reviewed due to errors. 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.
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