IRS transcript says that I haven't filed, but I did

[DonkeyPal47]

I mailed in my tax year 2019 1040 to the IRS by the USPS with a tracking number, and the tracking says they received it on August 2, 2020. When I check the status of my refund it says they have no information, and when I log in to my IRS account and look at my transcript, it says that I haven't filed for tax year 2019.

I saw this post: https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/refund-status/help/when-will-i-get-my-irs-tax-refund/00/25589 

so perhaps my issue is related to that.

Is it possible that they are so backed up that even after 8 weeks they haven't opened my return? At what point should I get in contact with someone at the IRS to sort this out? Their phone service options didn't allow for me to talk to an actual person to ask about this. At what point should I send a second copy to them?

Thanks for any help.

UPDATE JANUARY 2021: finally in early January of 2021 I got my refund. To those still waiting, apparently it is possible for the refund to take that long (for me it was just about 5 months from the day they received it, to the day I got the check in the mail).

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

The IRS is very backlogged, as are transcripts.   Chances are that your mailed return --although received-- is still sitting in a big pile of unopened mail.

MAILED RETURNS

The IRS has just started to work through millions of mailed returns that have been piling up in trailers during the pandemic.  All you can do is watch the IRS refund site to see when your return makes it to the surface and goes into processing. Sorry.

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.

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

[chicks2424]

yes the same  thing that i'm experiencing.  I understand the back log with the irs, but we all have a lot to do.  I probably wouldn't still have a job if I was so delayed in responding to our customers.

[DonkeyPal47]

I just checked and my transcript still says I didn't file and 'where's my refund' tells me it can't give me the status.

I saw some news stories saying that the IRS has caught up, but I also saw this one from 2 weeks ago:

 COVID-19 pandemic leaves 2M Americans still looking for their federal tax return money 

Should I try to contact them at this point? Or just continue to wait?

Thanks

Edit: I don't know why but the link is getting screwed up when I post it, but you can Google that article name to find it.

[xmasbaby0]

@DonkeyPal47 There are still plenty of people waiting for federal refunds.  If you mailed your tax return and you know that it was received then all you can do is wait patiently for the IRS to dig it out of the pile and process it.

[Critter-3]

Only the IRS controls when and if a tax refund is Approved and Sent.

Call the IRS:  1-800-829-1040  hours 7 AM - 7 PM local time Monday-Friday

When calling the IRS do NOT choose the first option re: "Refund", or it will send you to an automated phone line.  

So after first choosing your language, then do NOT choose Option 1 (refund info).  Choose option 2 for "personal income tax" instead.

Then press 1 for "form, tax history, or payment".   

Then press 3 "for all other questions."

Then press 2 "for all other questions."  

- When it asks you to enter your SSN or EIN to access your account information, don’t enter anything.  

- After it asks twice, you will get another menu.

Then press 2 and then 4 …       

It should then transfer you to an agent.

Or you can contact your local IRS office.  See this IRS website for local IRS offices - http://www.irs.gov/uac/Contact-Your-Local-IRS-Office-1 or call 1-844-545-5640 to set up an appointment

Or you may want to contact a Taxpayer Advocate in your area.  See this IRS website for Taxpayer Advocate in your area and a toll free number - http://www.irs.gov/Advocate/Local-Taxpayer-Advocate

[oldnstrange]

I filed in March  mine says the same thing.  When I called they said that I had not filed for 2016 (which we had done) and they would not process until I did so within a week I mailed them my taxes for 2016 again.  That was the end of March.  In September they said they had not received it so I sent it again with return reciept and signature required.  They signed for it Sept 23rd.  They say they have no record of it being received.   It is getting real old.  Call and try to get an advocate for your state!

[DonkeyPal47]

This answer is correct, as my refund for my paper return took about 5 months to arrive.

Edit: by "this answer" I am referring to xmasbaby's original answer.

[Mike9241]

while the IRS may have signed for it. it is a paper return.  at one point in late 2020 the IRS said it had millions of paper returns to process - that means entering them into its computers. until then the IRS can't tell you that it has received it. the continuing pandemic, a new tax filing season coupled with Congress passing legislation late in 2020 that affected the tax laws has probably further slowed the processing of paper returns.  Noone at this point can give you any info as  to the date your 2016/2019 return will be processed

[First_tax]

3/24/21: tried to e-file my 2020 tax return via turbotax. The Adjusted Gross Income I entered got rejected by IRS.

Reason: it doesn't match 2019 AGI on file in IRS.

I logged in in IRS website and pulled up my 2019 tax transcripts. It said tax was not filed. However they did cashed the check I sent together with the very same tax return. I think they took out the check, cashed it and put back the return in the pile of unprocessed returns until it's turn. Check was cashed on 7/16/2020.

As of today 3/24/21 my 2019 taxes is still not processed.

Finally when I entered 0 in 2019 AGI field, it went through and got accepted 🙂

So if you have the same problem, don't mail your tax return instead enter 0 in AGI for 2019.