I filed my 2016 taxes & 2017 taxes in January of 2018. How can I find out the status of my 2016 that was paper? When I go to the refund website, it doesn't show anything.

[AnthonyC · Accepted solution]

The Where’s My Refund site will only show the current tax year.  In order to get a status update on a prior year, you would have to actually call the IRS at 800.829.1040.  Make sure not to select the first option for a refund as that will put you in a loop for the current year.  Select the option for personal tax return and speak to a live representative.  They will be able to track your status.  Of course, phone wait times are likely to be long, so unless there is a reason you are concerned, you should probably give them sufficient time to process your prior year return.  It will take longer than a normal current year return because it was paper filed.

[rajuvvss]

Is there rough timelines are how long does it take to process the prior year tax returns? 

[Critter-3]

Currently you can expect a prior year paper return to take at LEAST 6 months to a year to process.