Refund more than 4 months late !!!

[Ohliger]

Hello,

I printed (not efiled this year) and sent in my tax returns in March... to date, I have no confirmation from Federal or State that they've received them, no letter, and no refund. I am due a substantial refund. However, the feds did receive my tax return because when I tried to e-file, they rejected my e-file because I have it on record. What should I do???

It gets a little more complicated... I originally filed without my spouses Social Security Number because she did not have one, but per IRS rules, she met the substantial presence test, which allows me to file as Married, filing jointly. She now has a SSN. When I tried to E-file with the SSN entered, it rejected saying that I filed previously as Married, filing separately (which is NOT the case). Someone as the IRS must have changed it. It says not to filed an amended return until the IRS gives me a refund, but after 4 months, I am doubting that is going to happen.

Should I wait? Should I send in an amended return (even though the amended return has $0 refund)? Or should I hire an expensive tax attorney?

Many thanks in advance !!!!

Steven

[fanfare]

paper returns are just now being processed.

you will have to wait.

amended returns saying nothing is just more paper for the IRS to work through.

[xmasbaby0]

MAILED RETURNS

Per the IRS website IRS Operations During COVID-19: Mission-critical functions continue: 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. 

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

https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/20/politics/irs-mail-trailers-covid/index.html