topic 2020 Refund. in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

2020 Refund.

gregg5323 — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 05:15:38 GMT

I filed our 2020 taxes via TurboTax on April 6th, 2021. I then amended that filing on April 28,2021 via TurboTax when new tax data became available. Then, I filed another amended return on August 31, 2021 when additional tax data became available and again this was done via TurboTax. Refund owed to us as of 8-31-2021 amendment is $2862. IRS has not issued the refund or acknowledged the track record. What do I do now?

Re: 2020 Refund.

xmasbaby0 — Wed, 08 Jun 2022 17:50:11 GMT

You WAIT. You have probably confused the IRS by amending not once but twice without waiting for the original return to be fully processed. Do not do anything at this time to confuse them more.

Even during “normal” times it takes about four months for the IRS to process an amended return. During the pandemic and due to the severe backlog at the IRS it is taking much longer—six months or more for many amended returns. Do not expect quick results from amending. When the IRS issues a refund for an amended return it will be by check. They do not make direct deposits for refunds for amended returns. You can watch for information here:

https://www.irs.gov/Filing/Individuals/Amended-Returns-(Form-1040-X)/Wheres-My-Amended-Return-1

Going forward----do not amend a tax return before the original return has been fully processed.

Re: 2020 Refund.

gregg5323 — Wed, 08 Jun 2022 17:54:05 GMT

Does filing a form 911 Request for Taxpayer Advocate Service Assistance…offer any relief?

Re: 2020 Refund.

Rangers44 — Wed, 08 Jun 2022 22:11:40 GMT

It will if you allow the IRS to respond within a reasonable time after the last amended return has been filed.

If you efiled an amended tax return, I would give at least 3 to 4 weeks for a response, before submitting Form 3911.

All it is meant to do is provide clear details you are required to provide to support your basis.

Re: 2020 Refund.

KeithS01 — Wed, 08 Jun 2022 22:23:53 GMT

Hi, @gregg5323!

As other commenters have noted, the IRS is very backed up, even for e-filed returns.

The Taxpayer Advocate Office is as swamped as the rest of the IRS, so unless you can show "undue hardship", I wouldn't get my hopes up about them taking your case. Of course, you're always welcome to try.

Re: 2020 Refund.

fanfare — Wed, 08 Jun 2022 22:26:13 GMT

IRS might process your original return as filed.

Then they will catch up with your multiple 1040-Xs later.

This is not an issue for the Taxpayer Advocate.

you have only one current return on file because 1040-X e-File submits your entire tax return again and 1040-X becomes your new tax return.

It is a 1040-X now so you will have delay in processing.

P.S. If IRS is confused by this, it is confusion of their own making.

Re: 2020 Refund.

dshantell28 — Wed, 20 Jul 2022 21:15:31 GMT

I'm trying to see why it's taking so long for me to receive my income tax

Re: 2020 Refund.

DoninGA — Wed, 20 Jul 2022 21:23:39 GMT

@dshantell28 wrote:

I'm trying to see why it's taking so long for me to receive my income tax

Did you e-file your tax return and was it accepted?
Only the IRS and your State control when and if a Federal or State tax refund is Approved and Issued.

You complete your tax return by finishing all 3 Steps in the File section. In Step 3, to e-file your tax return, you must click on the large Orange button labeled "Transmit my returns now".

After completing the File section and e-filing your tax return you will receive two emails from TurboTax. The first email when your tax return was transmitted and the second email when the tax return has either been accepted or rejected.

Note - Once a tax return has been Accepted by the IRS or a State, TurboTax receives no further information concerning the tax return or the status of any tax refund. Only the taxpayer listed on the tax return can obtain the status of a tax refund or a tax return.

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.

The IRS is taking 6 months and longer to process tax returns.

Go to this IRS website for the status of filed tax returns - https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-operations-during-covid-19-mission-critical-functions-continue

As of July 8, 2022, we had 11.2 million unprocessed individual tax year 2021 returns. Of these, 1.9 million returns require error correction or other special handling, and 9.3 million are paper returns waiting to be reviewed and processed. This work does not typically require us to correspond with taxpayers but does require special handling by an IRS employee so, in these instances, it is taking the IRS more than 21 days to issue any related refund and in some cases this work could take 90 to 120 days. If a correction is made to any Recovery Rebate Credit, Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit claimed on the return, the IRS will send taxpayers an explanation. Taxpayers are encouraged to continue to check Tax Season Refund Frequently Asked Questions.

How long you may have to wait: The IRS understands the importance of timely processing of tax returns and refund issuance. We have processed all error free returns received prior to December 2021 and continue to work the returns that need to be manually reviewed due to errors. We are continuing to reroute tax returns and taxpayer correspondence from locations that are behind to locations where more staff is available, and we are taking other actions to minimize any delays. Tax returns are opened and processed in the order received. As the return is processed, whether it was filed electronically or on paper, it may be delayed because it has a mistake including errors concerning the Recovery Rebate Credit and the Child Tax Credit, is missing information, or there is suspected identity theft or fraud. If we can fix it without contacting you, we will. If we need more information or need you to verify that it was you who sent the tax return, we will write you a letter. The resolution of these issues could take 90 to 120 days depending on how quickly and accurately you respond, and the ability of IRS staff trained and working under social distancing requirements to complete the processing of your return.

What you should do: In most instances, no further action is needed but you may check Where’s My Refund? or you can view your account. If you filed electronically and received an acknowledgement, you do not need to take any further action other than promptly responding to any requests for information. If you filed on paper, check Where’s My Refund? If it tells you we have received your return or are processing or reviewing it, we are processing your return, but it may be under review. If you filed before October 2021 and Where’s My Refund? does not have any information, your return has been opened but work on it has not begun. We’re working hard to get through the carryover inventory. Please don’t file a second tax return or contact the IRS about the status of your return.