How to check the status of a mailed paper return you already sent?

[Rjgold]

How do i check to see if my mailed return was received and whats happening?

[mesquitebean]

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@Rjgold wrote:

How do i check to see if my mailed return was received and whats happening?

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Hopefully, you printed, signed, dated, and physically mailed the return yourself.  TurboTax does not mail it for you.  

If you didn't send it by a method that has tracking, then you won't know for a while.  And even if you did send it with tracking, receipt might not be acknowledged with their procedures shut down.

In the meantime, you can "try" the IRS "Where's My Refund" tool, just in case it does show up there.  Even in normal times it takes 4 weeks just to show up in that tool.   If it doesn't show up in their tool, however, then you will still not know if it has been received or not, or whether it's sitting in a bin or trailer waiting to be processed once they reopen.

https://www.irs.gov/refunds

With that tool use the correct SSN and filing status, and use the Federal refund amount shown on your Form 1040, Line 21a.  Do not use any total refund amount that TurboTax provides that is a sum of the Federal and state refunds.

At some point the IRS live assistance call centers will open up again.  But even when processing resumes there will be a backlog, so they may or may not be able to tell you for a while even after they reopen.   Even in normal times (prior to the Coronavirus) it took 4 weeks after receiving a mailed paper return for it to even show up in the IRS "Where's My Refund" tool, so all bets are off now.  No one knows yet what it's going to be like when they resume processing.   The IRS website said in an April news release on their website:

• 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.

[mesquitebean]

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@Sherryczerniawski wrote:

I filed my tax return the beginning of April. I would like to know the status being I had to mail it in . This is the first time I used turbo tax and I don’t like that you hear nothing back from them about the status of your return . 

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Hopefully, you printed, signed, dated, and physically mailed the return yourself. TurboTax does not mail it for you.

 If you didn't send it by a method that has tracking, then you won't know for a while.  And even if you did send it with tracking, receipt might not be acknowledged with their procedures shut down.

You probably mailed it about the time they fully shut down processing of paper returns.  But you can "try" the IRS "Where's My Refund" tool, just in case it does show up there.   It normally takes 4 weeks to show up in that tool, even without the Coronavirus situation.    If it doesn't show up in their tool,  then it doesn't necessarily mean anything--you will still not know if it has been received or not, or whether it's sitting in a bin or trailer waiting to be processed once they reopen.

https://www.irs.gov/refunds

With that tool use the correct SSN and filing status, and use the Federal refund amount shown on your Form 1040, Line 21a.  Do not use any total refund amount that TurboTax provides that is a sum of the Federal and state refunds.

At some point the IRS live assistance call centers will open up again.  But even when processing resumes there will be a backlog, so they may or may not be able to tell you for a while even after they reopen.   Even in normal times (prior to the Coronavirus) it took 4 weeks after receiving a mailed paper return for it to even show up in the IRS "Where's My Refund" tool, so all bets are off now.  No one knows yet what it's going to be like when they resume processing.   The IRS website said in an April news release on their website:

• 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.

[Dw0421082]

Checking on my stimulus

[mesquitebean]

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@Dw0421082 wrote:

Checking on my stimulus

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https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment

FAQs for the Get My Payment tool:

https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment-frequently-asked-questions

[Tonyaclure73]

How to know if my return been mailed out

[DoninGA]

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@Tonyaclure73 wrote:

How to know if my return been mailed out

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TurboTax does not and cannot mail your tax return for you.  If you printed, signed, dated and mailed the federal tax return to the IRS then only you would know when or if it has been mailed.

What is the status of your federal tax return?  Sign onto your TurboTax online account and the status of the return will be displayed - https://myturbotax.intuit.com/

[Rbeecher]

I recently submitted on line my two children's social to be able to receive stimulas for 500.00 per child was it received and will I be able to receive anything 

[DoninGA]

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@Rbeecher wrote:

I recently submitted on line my two children's social to be able to receive stimulas for 500.00 per child was it received and will I be able to receive anything 

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What did you submit online?  Did you file a 2019 federal tax return?  Are you referring to the IRS non-filers website here - https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/non-filers-enter-payment-info-here

[Tamiw]

On the IRS website it says they cannot give any information regarding my return at this time. What does that mean? Did they ever receive it?

[xmasbaby0]

@Tamiw If you e-filed:

How long ago was your e-file accepted? 

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

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2584108-why-is-there-no-record-of-my-return-at-where-s-my-refund-w...

Sometimes people get confused by the “summary” given by TurboTax and use the wrong amount for the federal refund.  Make sure you are only using the federal refund amount, and not an amount that combined your federal and state refunds. 

Your federal refund amount is on line 20 of your Form 1040

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

If you filed by mail:

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

[Steve Weisman]

I sent a 1040-SR tax return for a deceased taxpayer around April 13th. I included the 1310 form. The IRS WEBSITE still doesn't show  acknowledgement. Should a resend Federal and State returns again certified?  

[VolvoGirl]

No.  Keep waiting.  They are not processing mailed returns right now.  The mail is stacking up in trailers at the IRS.

See this IRS page for the latest information

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

[MRowles_13]

When I filed my 2018 taxes with TurboTax, I submitted an incorrect address for employer due to the fact that we had incorporated a PEO in our business. I had somehow missed the notification that my 2018 was rejected and did not realize until attempting to file 2019. Due to this, I had submitted paper filing for 2018 and 2019 in March of this year. I have received notification from NC Dept of Revenue that they had received my return and will apply my refund to a balance that I owe with a garnish that I do not understand. I would like to speak to a representative concerning this matter.

I have been affected by the COVID issues and am concerned that any stimulus may pass without myself receiving any relief.

I have been attempting to find out if my returns have been received and accepted.

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you! 

[xmasbaby0]

@MRowles_13 Mailed returns are not "accepted" or "rejected" the way e-filed returns are.  But there is bad news about mailed returns, and there is nothing to be done about it just now....

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