Where is my federal tax return it has been more than 6 weeks and I still have not received it

[Critter]

The IRS no longer processes returns in first in first out batches. They are processed individually so returns sent in at the same time will not necessarily process together. The IRS states that 9 of 10 returns will process in 21 days or less. However considering that the IRS processes more than 140 million returns that means 14 million will be delayed for more than 21 days.

Think of the IRS process as a long pipe line. Some returns will be rejected before being allowed into the pipe and the rest will be accepted. Then once accepted into the pipeline many will process directly through without any delays and some will not.  Some returns will be siphoned off for further review of some kind. The basis of what triggers these reviews is a well guarded secret but some are just picked randomly every year.

Some reviews are automated and some will require human attention. The processing times will vary but, due to the continued understaffing situation it could  be much longer this year.

First -- verify that your return have been filed and accepted --  then check the fed web site to see where you are in the process-

Check Your E-File Status on this Secure TurboTax website
https://turbotax.intuit.com/efile/efile_status_lookup.jsp
- It will show the date you transmitted your return and if it was accepted or rejected.  
- Both your Federal and State will be listed separately if you filed both.
- It will tell you when you E-filed
- The electronic filing date

See the following TurboTax support article on checking your e-file status - https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1908859-how-do-i-look-up-the-status-of-my-e-filed-return

For the Feds:

http://www.irs.gov/Refunds/Where's-My-Refund-It's-Quick,-Easy,-and-Secure.

http://www.irs.gov/uac/When-Can-I-Expect-My-Refund%3F

If it has been processing for more than 21 days then you can call the IRS …

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 4 "for all other questions."

Then press 2 "for all other questions."  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

If it's been more than 90 days since the return was accepted  then you can ask for help from the Tax Payer Advocate office:

At the following IRS website, find the USA map and click on your state, and it will give you the number of your IRS Taxpayer Advocate.

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Contact-a-Local-Taxpayer-Advocate

If you are unsuccessful with the Taxpayer Advocate for your area, you can also try the special IRS phone number for the Taxpayer Advocate Service at 877-777-4778.

More info on the Taxpayer Advocate Service:
http://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/about/who-we-are

http://www.irs.gov/Advocate/Taxpayer-Advocate-Service-6

Also see this article for more info on how the Taxpayer Advocate Service works:
http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc104.html 

[mommic28]

Hey do u remember how long it took I am in same boat

[Kickit69]

When should I expect my federal return .. I already received my state 

[AkinaLO]

If it has been longer than 21 days and your return is still processing, please contact the IRS directly. 

Look at the IRS contact information below.   

What if my IRS refund is taking longer than 21 days?  

[teach97]

I mailed my Fed. taxes on March 2nd and have not received them yet. When I check where is my refund. I get the following message: We cannot provide any information about your refund. I check all the information and it correct per my tax filing what is going on? Has the coronovirus slowed things down? I of course have called all the tax numbers possible however, no one is in the offices. any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[mjaber]

I have the same issue here. Any tips?

[Tazzy3]

I efiled mid-March and Inhave not received mine either. It's now been over 6 weeks. If in don't see an update other than "still being processed" I'll call Friday. 

[GiseleD]

Unfortunately, the IRS is extremely short staffed due to COVID-19. This has affected the processing of returns. If you haven't received your refunds by the time the IRS resumes normal operations, please contact them at 800 829 1040.

@teach97 

@mjaber

@Tazzy3

[mwood482]

its been well over 6 weeks and I can't even pull up my info. Says that their is no information. Calling doesn't help because you can't speak to a real person. I can't even tell if they've received mine in the mail.

[CatinaT1]

The online link is your best option to track your refund.  I have attached a link with more answers from the IRS as to why your refund may be taking longer to process.

Federal refund questions

There is a delay in processing the returns as the IRS is not processing paper returns at the moment due to Covid-19 and social distancing policies in effect.  

IRS operations

[arangojf]

JULY 6th UPDATE:

I just called today because it has been over 90 days since I filed my return, as well. Like others in this post, it has been showing as "processing." Thank you TT for providing the shortcut to an agent, as I couldn't find a way before.

The representative told me it was picked up by a department that handles either 1) missing documents on my end, or 2) an "error" on the taxes. He said there was an error on their end, and that department was closed for about 30 days due to the Coronavirus, and that they're just starting to catch up. Because of this, the 90 day window procedures has been extended, and now this department has set August 1st as the deadline to finish processing. He also said there was nothing needed on my end, so to call back by September 1st if I haven't received either my refund or a letter. 

I called last week as well but received a little less information. The agent then told me they had just gotten back to work, so to wait til the end of July. I'm led to believe that it can happen any time between now and September, unless a different reason comes up on their end. Hope this information is helpful.

[Reynagje]

What number are you calling ? 

[DoninGA]

---

@Reynagje wrote:

What number are you calling ? 

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To check the status of an e-filed return, open up your desktop product or log into your TurboTax Online Account. You can find your status within the TurboTax product.
If accepted by the IRS use the federal tax refund website to check the refund status - https://www.irs.gov/refunds
If accepted by the state use this TurboTax support FAQ to check the state tax refund status - https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899433-how-do-i-track-my-state-refund

After the tax return has been Accepted by the IRS (meaning only that they received the return) it will be in the Processing mode until the tax refund has been Approved and then an Issue Date will be available on the IRS website.
See this IRS website for federal tax refund FAQ's - https://www.irs.gov/refunds/tax-season-refund-frequently-asked-questions
If over 21 days since being Accepted by the IRS and the tax refund is still Processing you can call the IRS and speak with an IRS agent concerning your tax refund.
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.

Press 2 for personal or individual tax questions.
Then press 4 for all other inquiries
It should then transfer you to an agent.

[cvs1304]

Search your local IRS phone number and call that number. Don't bother calling the main line - the lines are too busy and you'll get told to call back another day.

I called my local office and spoke to someone - Yay! The person I spoke to was very helpful. She was able to find my application which I mailed on 4/26/20.

Apparently it was processed on 11/25/20 and didn't post correctly due to some error. The error was fixed (fingers crossed!) and hopefully I will see a refund in 6-8 weeks.