IRS cashed the payment check but no tax return was received?

[jrec21a]

You can try checking the box that says you didn't file last year. It worked for me. I can prove that I did file later if necessary with my cancelled check. I just didn't want to mail another paper return.

[jrec21a]

I mailed my return over a year ago and re submitted it 4 months ago by mail and neither return has been processed. Did you try entering zero for your AGI like some have had luck with ?

[DC79]

I did try and it got denied me entering $0

[jrec21a]

You can try what I did. Check the box that says you didn't file last year. It worked for me. I might have to explain why I checked that box later but I can prove that I really did file later if necessary.

[DC79]

I already mailed everything in..dont want to make things more complicated than it already is 

[marcisikoff]

When you mail in a return with payment, the payment is taken to be processed in a separate queue.

Imagine having a business that gets thousands of payments back; you'd rip them open and get all the checks and hand them over accounts receivable to take to a bank or EFT them.  That would be the quick part.

Then processing the returns, as they involve data entry, computer matching to other forms (e.g., W-2s sent in by employers, 1099s by banks, etc) and since that takes longer, it's a backlog.

The check is the rabbit, the return is the turtle.

[Thomasg621]

That is what I did in late February, and I just checked my account on the IRS site and my refund for my 2020 taxes, which was denied and then accepted when I too put in 0 for my 2019 AGI, was sent to my bank today.  My bank shows it pending.  So for those not being able to do $0 you must be doing something wrong, keep trying as it does work. 

[Grogers57]

I keep hearing the IRS was closed for 4 months because of the COVID 19, but there are 12 months in a year, how long does it usually take them to process taxes in a year?  Because this new Stimulus goes be your 2019 or 2020 taxes the fact they haven’t processed the 2019 which will hold up the 2020 how can we get the stimulus we are eligible for? 

[DC79]

If you read the IRS website they say they have 6.7 million of paper returns to review which is a ton. Its unfortunate for people like me that was forced to mail out a paper copy after the fact I entered $0 AGI etc on my e file this year.... its not my fault they never processed the 2019 paper returns I sent over a year ago... supposly my paper copy got accepted on the 25th of February 2021 ...I was told to wait at least 8 weeks...by then the new stimulus checks will be distributed and I wonder if I can claim them then. ..somebody on this thread said I might have to wait when I file next year in 2022 to receive my third stimulus check...I hope this is not the case. 

[Thomasg621]

If you e filed your 2020 taxes and they accept them and process your refund or payment you will get the new stimulus that just passed as they will use your 2020 e file.  The j2019 check you did not receive if you put 0 in you AGI that stimulus check should have been included in your 2020 return.  Turbo asked if you received both of them if you check no then its added in. 

[DC79]

I understand all that..unfortunately they did not accept my returns on e file..i tried everything and the IRS kept denying my returns. 

[Liz1952]

The same thing happened to me. I wasn't sure what to do, so I printed off the copy I had, signed it with a letter explaining my situation, sent it certified and overnight. I haven't heard back from the IRS, so I don't know if I need to do anything else. 

Did you receive any comments?

[DC79]

No it's a waiting game with the IRS when you mail something to them...there's no way for them to tell when they will review your returns you mailed in. I was told they take first come first serve...it could be millions ahead of us etc.

[DFalcinelli]

I heard back from many users. The most common response was to place 0 in prior year AGI. I did that and it worked. My guess is that since the checks and the returns are separated upon receipt at the IRS, the return  either got lost or is sitting in a big pile waiting to be processed. Since I paid my balance due and it was recorded at both the IRS and by my bank, I will await correspondence from them if they need a copy of my 2019 return.

Others also posted that they sent off another copy with an explanation letter, but no one said that the second copy was received or processed. I think that furthers the belief that they just have not processed a huge number of returns.

If the zero does not work for prior year AGI, someone else tried checking that no return was filed in prior year and that worked for them. Good luck!

[marcisikoff]

Yes, it's a waiting game.

The IRS processes tax forms after confirming that (for example) any W-2s, 1099s, K-1s, etc are received by them to match on your return.   Thus even if yours was the only return, it would take longer than cashing the check and noting the payment date, amount, SSN, and tax year they ask you to put on the check.

My personal taxes were e-filed and accepted with accurate 2019 AGI, pin, etc but will wait for my business return which is amended so is mailed in and has the K-1s to match against my personal return.

For my kids, which get a minor W-2, no withholding, there's no e-file with Intuit as I confirmed with H&R Block they can e-file but whatever Intuit is sending in the "header" of the transmission is causing the IRS to give a <16 and can't e-file first return (except my kids are on their second return, having filed in 2019) and Intuit is blaming the IRS and taking my money and zero responsibility so for personal taxation, I will not use Turbotax any longer.