IRS return not found

[frankjkraut]

I filed by mail both my Federal and state (Illinois) returns on or around March 1, 2020. Both are due a refund. Its been eight weeks now and I haven't received either refund. I've checked both "where's my return" web sites, Illinois states they have the return but are still processing it. The IRS site states they have no record of the return. Since I mailed both together dropping them in a postal mail box, I know they were picked up by USPS.

Should I refile my Federal return again, this time electronically? 

[bluedeb · Accepted solution]

No, since your already mailed in a return, you should not e-file a return.  The IRS is not processing mailed in returns right now.  The following is from the IRS:

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. 

[macuser_22 · Accepted solution]

Hopefully you mailed in separate envelopes and had tracking to verify delivery, otherwise there is no way to know if it was ever received.

The IRS is not currently processing mailed returns at all.   You will have to decide whether to e-file Federal or not.   If both e-filed AND the mailed return both get entered into the IRS processing system they will be red-flagged as duplicate returns and kicked out for hand processing which can cause delays of 6 months or more.

On the other hand, if not received by the IRS, the mailed return will never be processed.

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**NOTE*** Due to the Corona virus the IRS is operating short staffed. All field offices are closed and some processing centers are all but closed. Any tax return that requires hand processing will probably have long delays. Mailed returns are not being processed at all at this time. Most phone service has been curtailed.
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-operations-during-covid-19-mission-critical-functions-continue
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