I mailed my tax return for this year as I didn't have a reference number off my last years return. Will I get a reference number for the mailed tax return this year?

Will I get sent a confirmation number or reference back from IRS, that I will be able to put on next years return? No refunds are due to me this year, therefore, how will I know that my return for 2016 has been received and processed by the IRS?