Should I re-mail my Federal tax returns? I mailed them in April but as of today the IRS has not received them.

[amandajfuelle]

I got my State return but I called the IRS today and they don't have my forms! What should I do?

[DoninGA]

The IRS is taking 6 months and longer to process a mailed 2021 tax return.  The IRS website for the status of a federal tax refund will not have the status until the IRS starts to process the federal tax return.

Go to this IRS website for the status of 2021 tax returns - https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-operations-during-covid-19-mission-critical-functions-continue

As of June 17, 2022, we had 11.2 million unprocessed individual returns which include returns received before 2022, and new tax year 2021 returns. Of these, 2 million returns require error correction or other special handling, and 9.2 million are paper returns waiting to be reviewed and processed. This work does not typically require us to correspond with taxpayers but does require special handling by an IRS employee so, in these instances, it is taking the IRS more than 21 days to issue any related refund and in some cases this work could take 90 to 120 days. If a correction is made to any Recovery Rebate Credit, Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit claimed on the return, the IRS will send taxpayers an explanation. Taxpayers are encouraged to continue to check Tax Season Refund Frequently Asked Questions.

[NCperson]

@amandajfuelle NO!!!! DO NOT REMAIL  Just have patience! 

Most likely they have your return, it is just sitting in a box in a warehouse.  So there is no record of it on the computers that the IRS representatives are look at. 

The IRS processes paper filed returns in the order received.  They just announced last week that they completed all returned received through Dec, 2021, which is a backhanded way of stating they have NOT processed any paper filed tax returns for the 2021 tax year!!!!!  There are facebook groups that are reporting that those that paper filed in February, 2022 are seeing some movement in their files. 

Expect it will take 6-9 months from the time you filed until the return is processed.

Here is what the IRS website states: Note the last line specifically (in red)

What you should do: In most instances, no further action is needed but you may check Where’s My Refund? or you can view your account. If you filed electronically and received an acknowledgement, you do not need to take any further action other than promptly responding to any requests for information. If you filed on paper, check Where’s My Refund? If it tells you we have received your return or are processing or reviewing it, we are processing your return, but it may be under review. If you filed before October 2021 and Where’s My Refund? does not have any information, your return has been opened but work on it has not begun. We’re working hard to get through the carryover inventory. Please don’t file a second tax return or contact the IRS about the status of your return.