2020 Tax Return

[escriche_de_hult]

I filed electronically with TURBO TAX on 12 Feb 2021 for tax year 2020. Turbo Tax informed me that my return was accepted by the IRS.

In reviewing everything from 2021, I learned that the IRS has no record of me filing tax year 2020. I have all documentation from Turbo Tax that I filed and it was accepted.

Any ideas on how to proceed?

[Critter-3]

Check the TT file again closely ... was the return actually accepted or was it rejected ?  Look thru it for a sheet labeled "Electronic Postmark - Certification of Electronic Filing" .

That sheet tells you when you E-filed your "Federal" tax return electronically, and when it was accepted.......assuming you did file electronically and not by mail.   Of course, filling out your tax forms is not the same as completing them, and then actually filing them.  After e-filing them, you always should return to the software a few days later to make sure they were "Accepted" and not Rejected.

If it was accepted then you should wait for the IRS to process it.  The IRS transcript will not show it until it is fully processed.  

You can call them to get a progress report ... if you can ever get thru to a human.

If it was rejected then you can mail in the return now. 

[escriche_de_hult]

Thanks. It clearly states "accepted" in the fling status. "Accepted" was 7 days after the filing date. I think I clearly stated that I filed electronically.

I know the IRS is backed up but this was Tax year 2020.

[Critter-3]

Go to this IRS website for the status of filed tax returns - https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-operations-during-covid-19-mission-critical-functions-continue

 From the IRS website: 

As of August 12, 2022, we had 9.3 million unprocessed individual returns received in calendar year 2022. These include tax year 2021 returns and late filed tax year 2020 and prior returns. Of these, 1.7 million returns require error correction or other special handling, and 7.6 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 90 to 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.

[escriche_de_hult]

Thanks. Read it already and not helpful. 120 days for a refund is looong past. It’s been over a year and a half. I appreciate the input

[fanfare]

"I learned that the IRS has no record of me filing"

You'll have to file your tax return again via US Mail.

@escriche_de_hult 

[mesquitebean]

@ escriche_de_hult  wrote:  "In reviewing everything from 2021, I learned that the IRS has no record of me filing tax year 2020."

We don't know what all you have already done.  If you haven't looked at your 2020 tax return transcript and/or "record of account" transcript, I'd try to do that to to see what it says about the receipt of any 2020 return.  To see them online, you will have to open an IRS online account, if you haven't already.

And/or I'd phone the IRS at the special number at the page linked below to speak to an actual IRS agent to see if they can tell if the 2020 return was received or not.   Since you said in another thread that you are in a foreign country, this is info for the IRS International Taxpayer Service Call Center:

https://www.irs.gov/help/contact-my-local-office-internationally

It has expanded hours to accommodate foreign filers.  6AM-11PM Eastern time, Mon-Fri.

Be mindful of phone charges if you are put on hold.

[mesquitebean]

ADDENDUM:

You also haven't specifically said what you see with the IRS "Where's My Refund" tool.  

https://www.irs.gov/Refunds

While that tool is not always completely accurate, if it's not finding your info, there are some things to check.

• Be sure you enter the correct SSN and filing status, and are choosing Tax Year 2020.
• If it's a joint return, try the tool using each SSN.
• Be sure you are using only the Federal refund amount.   Do not include any state refund or any total refund or net refund (Fed and State) that TurboTax may have provided on a summary screen.  
• Also be sure you are using the Federal amount before any TurboTax fees are taken out (if you chose that option.)
• Look at your actual Federal return to get the Federal refund amount, i.e., your Form 1040, Line 35a.

Otherwise, you can check the IRS transcripts as I mentioned above, and if needed, speak to the IRS International Taxpayer Assistance office.

[escriche_de_hult]

I appreciate the answers but I would not post here had I not tried the most simple things already. I have checked “where’s my refund” and opened an IRS account years ago. Short of calling the IRS as it has been a holiday weekend, I have checked all available avenues online. There is no record of my return except with turbo tax, who will also not respond over a long holiday weekend.

thank you

[Critter-3]

@escriche_de_hult 

Returns do get lost by the IRS  or it is stuck somewhere in processing and will not show up on your tax account  ... so your options are: 

1) call IRS

2) call taxpayer advocate

3) mail in another return

4) just wait

After the tax return has been Accepted by the IRS (meaning only that they received the return) it will be in the Processing mode until the tax refund has been Approved and then a date for Sending will be available on the IRS website.   Turbotax is not able to assist you any longer ... they are out of the loop once your return has been filed successfully. 

See this IRS website for federal tax refund FAQ's - https://www.irs.gov/refunds/tax-season-refund-frequently-asked-questions

Only the IRS controls when and if a tax refund is Approved and Sent.

Call the IRS:  1-800-829-1040  hours 7 AM - 7 PM local time Monday-Friday

When calling the IRS do NOT choose the first option re: "Refund", or it will send you to an automated phone line.  

So after first choosing your language, then do NOT choose Option 1 (refund info).  Choose option 2 for "personal income tax" instead.

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

Then press 3 "for all other questions."

Then press 2 "for all other questions."  

- When it asks you to enter your SSN or EIN to access your account information, don’t enter anything.  

- After it asks twice, you will get another menu.

Then press 2 for personal or individual tax questions.

Then press 4 for all other inquiries.

It should then transfer you to an agent.

Or you can contact your local IRS office.  See this IRS website for local IRS offices - http://www.irs.gov/uac/Contact-Your-Local-IRS-Office-1 or call 1-844-545-5640 to set up an appointment

Or you may want to contact a Taxpayer Advocate in your area.  See this IRS website for Taxpayer Advocate in your area and a toll free number - http://www.irs.gov/Advocate/Local-Taxpayer-Advocate