topic If i mailed in my tax return in march and still haven’t received my return, will i receive one at all? in After you file

If i mailed in my tax return in march and still haven’t received my return, will i receive one at all?

sambullock2398 — Mon, 03 Aug 2020 11:02:36 GMT

Re: If i mailed in my tax return in march and still haven’t received my return, will i receive one at all?

DoninGA — Mon, 03 Aug 2020 11:06:31 GMT

If you have a federal tax refund the IRS will pay the refund.

The IRS has not processed paper tax returns for several months due to the pandemic. They have just recently started to process those tax returns in the order received.

Go to this IRS website for information - https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-operations-during-covid-19-mission-critical-functions-continue

We’re experiencing delays in processing paper tax returns due to limited staffing. If you already filed a paper return, we will process it in the order we received it.

Do not file a second tax return or contact the IRS about the status of your return.

Re: If i mailed in my tax return in march and still haven’t received my return, will i receive one at all?

mesquitebean — Mon, 03 Aug 2020 11:16:16 GMT

If you are due a Federal refund, you should eventually get it, but it may still be a while.

I'll assume you printed and mailed the return. TurboTax does not mail it for you.

Because of the Coronavirus pandemic, manual processing at IRS centers was shut down for about 4 months. They have gradually started processing again. But there are huge backloads of paper returns they have to process. The IRS had this notice on their website as of July 28, 2020:

"We’re experiencing delays in processing paper tax returns due to limited staffing. If you already filed a paper return, we will process it in the order we received it. Do not file a second tax return or contact the IRS about the status of your return."

You can try the IRS "Where's My Refund" tool to see if your mailed return has started processing. If it doesn't find anything, then all you can do right now is wait and check the tool every few days.

https://www.irs.gov/Refunds

NOTE: When using that tool, be sure to enter the correct SSN and filing status. For the refund amount, use only the Federal refund amount, and not any total refund amount that includes a state refund.
The amount to use is on your Federal Form 1040, Line 21a.