Would you advise electronic re-filing even after this sequence of events?
I had to re-file 2018 taxes via snail-mail because my daughter incorrectly cited that no one was claiming her as a dependent. She immediately filed an amended tax return correcting the above-mentioned mistake, and subsequently was notified by the IRS that the corrections had been made.
Prior to her receiving confirmation from the IRS, I re-filed my tax return via snail mail to the IRS office in Fresno, CA. Included with my return was a copy of my daughter's amended tax return and a short letter explaining the situation. I sent this package via certified mail, and received confirmation from the IRS (return-receipt post card) that the package was received on 15 April 2019 at the Fresno, CA office.
In August and September 2019, I checked the status of my refund using the IRS website. Both times I was advised that the tax return is still in process. However when I checked again in October, I was advised that a tax return was not submitted! This prompted me to go to an IRS office near me.
For various reasons, I was unable to get an appointment at an IRS office near me (55 miles away) until 16 December 2019. I was able to speak with someone who took yet another copy of my return (same as the first one I sent by certified mail) and had it sent to the IRS office in Fresno, CA. I have a stamp from that "local" office substantiating they received my hand-delivered documents. She also advised me that it will take 4 to 6 weeks to get my refund.
On 6 and 7 February 2020, I revisited the IRS website to check the status of my return. I am advised that the tax return does not exist...again!!!???
I spoke to an IRS person on 7 Feb. 2020 who said that the recent response from the IRS website could be due to their systems being idle between mid-December through the first week of January, thus delaying entry and processing of my re-filed return. She also advised me to try to re-submit electronically.
Do I risk creating more confusion by re-filing under the above-mentioned circumstances?
