We have collectively been in the business more than 50 years so we know how the IRS works ... and the IRS put out warnings that things will take longer due to the furloughs so we simply extrapolated timelines using known histories. If the IRS finishes faster than predicted be happy but be prepared to wait much much longer than normal this year. Much of the staff has been pulled to work this "stimulus check" situation so less are available for regular work.
Priorities right now are :
1) Stimulus checks
2) efiled 2019 returns with refunds
3) returns already filed prior to shut down already in the review process
4) new 2019 paper returns as they are opened ... priority given to returns with refunds
5) 2019 returns that have a balance due
6) all returns that need human interaction such as paper filed returns from all tax years and amended returns .... original returns with refunds are given priority, then returns with balance dues and then finally amended returns.
