Why can't I find out information about our refund?

[spadje]

Because of the death of our child, we had to mail in our tax forms. They show they were received on February 16th 2022. Yet when I use the "Check My Refund Status", on the IRS's website, I get no information can be provided. Just wondering if it should be taking this long.

[Kat]

My sincere condolences on your tragic loss.

As long as the IRS has confirmed receipt of your mailed return, you should be good.  Mailed returns are extremely backed up at the IRS.  It may take a while for the IRS to process your return.  Last year, my mailed return wasn't processed until August (after an April receipt).  The good news is that you'll be earning interest on the refund you are due.

[spadje]

I never got a receipt from the IRS though, just the tracking number from USPS. I would think that I would be able to verify through the IRS's website but I cannot.

[Kat]

So you mailed your return using Certified Mail (or something similar) that the IRS had to sign verifying receipt?

[spadje]

Yes, it shows that it was received by the mail room/front desk.

[Kat · Accepted solution]

@spadje Then you can verify that the return was received at the IRS.  I'm sorry it takes so long.  I think that at the beginning of this tax season, the IRS still had MANY 2019 mailed returns that had yet to be processed.

As I said, it took months for me to receive our refund last year.  It would do no good to try to contact the IRS right now; you'd never get anyone to answer the telephone.

My advice is to wait.  However, if you desperately need your tax refund, you may get some assistance by contacting your local Taxpayer Advocate.  I'm linking you to the info you'd need to find your local Advocate.  

Get help - Taxpayer Advocate Service (irs.gov)

[spadje]

Will do, thank you for the reassurance!