IRS Delays - More than 4 months since I filed my paper return

[sidz82]

Hi All,

I filed a paper return in the month of November for the year 2020. I didn't hear anything about my refund until now. I am having a tough time getting hold of a live agent when I contacted the toll-free number. Is there a way I can get any status on my tax return? I tried looking up via the "where's my refund" app/tool, but it says there is nothing they could find based on the info I entered.  In all likelihood, IRS hasn't even opened my envelope.

Any information on how to know the status of my return would be helpful.

[xmasbaby0]

The IRS refund site does not provide information about 2020 returns.  Only 2021 information is shown there.  Sorry---but it takes the IRS months to process mailed returns, so all you can do is wait patiently.  Going forward---any time you mail a return to the IRS or the state, use a mailing service like certified mail so you can track it and know that it was received---that will relieve some of your stress as to whether they have it.

[sidz82]

Thanks for the input. I did send it via USPS priority mail and was able to track that the return has been received by IRS on 11/18/2021. I guess I need to just hang tight and wait.

[fanfare]

IRS has 7 million unprocessed tax return.

Most of them are 2020 returns filed on paper, or 2021 returns filed on paper.

IRS expects to clear the backlog by the end of the year 2022.

IRS says it is first come, first served, but I don't believe that.

[praveen40000]

Hi there,

I also filed  2020 tax return in Nov 2021. Haven't heard anything back. Tried calling them in person but to no avail.  WMR/Transcripts shows nothing for 2020. 

[fanfare]

@praveen40000 

If you call IRS you can get confirmation that your tax return is in their system,

but still in progress.

The phone reps have no more information than that about your return.

[praveen40000]

Thanks. I did call them and they told they don't see anything in system yet. Since I paper filed, they asked me to wait for 30 days before calling them again. They recommended not to file again. I guess nothing can be done as of now ither than waiting.