Been 5 weeks since I sent in my amended return and the IRS shows it still hasn't received it?

[Shanda4]

I mailed my amendment in to the IRS at the end of March and it’s still not showing up in the where’s my amended refund tool. What is going on?

[VolvoGirl]

In normal times it takes up to 16 weeks or more to process an Amended 1040X return.  But these are not normal times.

Sorry the IRS has limited staff due to Covid-19.  They just started opening the mail in June that's been stacking up. Back in March the IRS closed their processing centers and stopped processing mailed tax returns.  An IRS spokesperson recently said that they have about 11 million pieces of unopened mail.  The IRS says....."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."  So it may take longer if you mailed in June or later.   So you have to keep waiting.

See this IRS page for the latest information

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-operations-during-covid-19-mission-critical-functions-continue

[ratajack1]

I mailed mine in May and I am in the same boat. I don't have an answer but hope they will tell us what is going on.  Almost 5 months. I realize there is a pandemic, but not even showing they got it is ridiculous. I was going to resend it, but not sure if I should.

[DoninGA]

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@ratajack1 wrote:

I mailed mine in May and I am in the same boat. I don't have an answer but hope they will tell us what is going on.  Almost 5 months. I realize there is a pandemic, but not even showing they got it is ridiculous. I was going to resend it, but not sure if I should.

---

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

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.

[yer_sister]

Thank you to you mesquite bean for posting this very detailed info, including asking them if I should resend my amended return; it's the only way I was able to speak to someone LIVE.

It's been 12 weeks and the automated number still says "information not available on this account try again later." I had mailed my amended taxes July 13, 2020 and today is Oct 7, 2020.  I wasn't getting any money back, I actually owed a little less than $100.  So far my check has still not cleared either.

The wait is 15 min to 30 min, so I put on speakerphone and waited.

  My actual wait time was 40 min.

  I spoke to a nice lady who confirmed they're back-logged and only reopened partially in August due to COVID.  She said they closed in July and reopened in August but only partially (due to cutbacks from COVID) and are still working on amended returns from even before July.  She said she would note my account that I mailed in my amended return July 13, 2020 and said to NOT resend it, just wait and agreed with me that when I see my check clear that would be a good indicator they are processing it.  As of right now my return has not even been opened nor logged in.  I asked if it could be December and she said yes that is possible, just be patient and wait.  She said if I wanted I could call back in a few weeks but I told her I would just wait to see when my check would clear and use that as an indicator that my return was received and is in process.

HOPE THIS HELPS SOMEONE OUT THERE WHO'S WORRIED.  I'D SAY JUST WAIT TIL DECEMBER AND LOOK FOR YOUR CHECK TO CLEAR.  If you're owed money, do the same.  Wait.  But if you do call use the instructions exactly as mesquite bean (above) has specified above, otherwise you'll end up back at the automated system.

[yer_sister]

Thank you to you mesquite bean for posting this very detailed info, including asking them if I should resend my amended return; it's the only way I was able to speak to someone LIVE.

It's been 12 weeks and the automated number still says "information not available on this account try again later." I had mailed my amended taxes July 13, 2020 and today is Oct 7, 2020.  I wasn't getting any money back, I actually owed a little less than $100.  So far my check has still not cleared either.

The wait is 15 min to 30 min, so I put on speakerphone and waited.

  My actual wait time was 40 min.

  I spoke to a nice lady who confirmed they're back-logged and only reopened partially in August due to COVID.  She said they closed in July and reopened in August but only partially (due to cutbacks from COVID) and are still working on amended returns from even before July.  She said she would note my account that I mailed in my amended return July 13, 2020 and said to NOT resend it, just wait and agreed with me that when I see my check clear that would be a good indicator they are processing it.  As of right now my return has not even been opened nor logged in.  I asked if it could be December and she said yes that is possible, just be patient and wait.  She said if I wanted I could call back in a few weeks but I told her I would just wait to see when my check would clear and use that as an indicator that my return was received and is in process.

HOPE THIS HELPS SOMEONE OUT THERE WHO'S WORRIED.  I'D SAY JUST WAIT TIL DECEMBER AND LOOK FOR YOUR CHECK TO CLEAR.  If you're owed money, do the same.  Wait.  But if you do call use the instructions exactly as mesquite bean (above) has specified above, otherwise you'll end up back at the automated system.

[claffheather1]

It has been 20 weeks since I mailed my amended return in. Still no change on the Where’s my Amended Return tool. I wrote to the IRS and they tell me to use the same tool I have been and it does no good. 

[xmasbaby0]

@claffheather1

   The IRS has not been working on mailed returns until very recently---and an amended return could only be filed by mailing it in until late August 2020 when the IRS began to accept e-filed 2019 amended returns.   Under normal circumstances you would be able to see something about your mailed in Form 1040X after about three weeks, but that is not the case right now.  The usual 4 months for processing an amended return is going to take longer.  Sorry.

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

MAILED RETURNS

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.

 TurboTax will not know anything about your amended return, and nor will TT know that you put your 1040X  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/Filing/Individuals/Amended-Returns-(Form-1040-X)/Wheres-My-Amended-Return-1

https://www.irs.gov/filing/individuals/amended-returns-form-1040-x/amended-return-frequently-asked-q...

[heidilynn727]

Unfortunately it’s been 6 months for me and still nothing. Trying to be patient

[Hryan668]

I have been checking everyday since i makes my amended tax return and it is still not showing on the IRS website.  I mailed it on August 12, 2020.

Thank you

Heather Ryan 

[DoninGA]

---

@Hryan668 wrote:

I have been checking everyday since i makes my amended tax return and it is still not showing on the IRS website.  I mailed it on August 12, 2020.

Thank you

Heather Ryan 

---

The IRS was not processing any paper tax returns from several months due to the pandemic and limited staffing.  They have only just recently started to process approximately 11 million paper returns in the order they have been received.

In a normal year it would take the IRS about 4 months to process the amended return.  This is not a normal year so patience is needed.  Use this IRS website for an amended return status - https://www.irs.gov/filing/wheres-my-amended-return

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

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.

[Juancsilva123]

I sent my tax amend on June 24 and it show on the irs page on October 8 saying that it was received on June 26 and it was being processed but now after the 16weeks passed the irs page says that it hasn’t been processed now !!!  How long after they receive the tax amend does it take to processing them???

[xmasbaby0]

@Juancsilva123

   The IRS has not been working on mailed returns until very recently---and an amended return could only be filed by mailing it in until late August 2020 when the IRS began to accept e-filed 2019 amended returns.   Under normal circumstances you would be able to see something about your mailed in Form 1040X after about three weeks, but that is not the case right now.  The usual 4 months for processing an amended return is going to take longer.  Sorry.

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

MAILED RETURNS

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.

 TurboTax will not know anything about your amended return, and nor will TT know that you put your 1040X  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/Filing/Individuals/Amended-Returns-(Form-1040-X)/Wheres-My-Amended-Return-1

https://www.irs.gov/filing/individuals/amended-returns-form-1040-x/amended-return-frequently-asked-q...

[Leanac10]

Well, they recvd my taxes on March 30th and I still dont have mine. They even assigned a tax advocate who never returns my calls and in her vm she leaves a number to call if you need immediate assistance, and its just a recording that puts you back in the circle, i even left her a message questioning even if they are really with the IRS cause its just drazy you cant get any answers.

.

[Leanac10]

Well dont feel bad mine has been out for going on eight months...