topic Tax refund in After you file

Tax refund

nettiegentry62611 — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 04:45:13 GMT

My return was denied when I e-filed. My husband died in 2021 so I was instructed to mail my return. I did that on March 28, 2022. I have not received my refund and can not get an answer at the IRS. Is ID-Me a form of the IRS. That popped up when I went to Where's MY Refund. They only ask for email and phone number but I am hesitate to answer the phone if they call. How can I get an answer on my refund

Re: Tax refund

NCperson — Mon, 23 May 2022 13:24:30 GMT

if you paper filed, figure it will be a good six months until the return is processsd..... the IRS is quite far behind, especially on paper submissions

Also, the IRS will NEVER call you (or email you). they only corresspond by US MAIL

suggest putting this on the back-burner until September......

Re: Tax refund

Critter-3 — Mon, 23 May 2022 13:25:00 GMT

Mailed in paper returns will take at least 6 months to process or possibly much much longer. When you log into the IRS website on the where's my refund tool you do not need anything but the primary social security number, your filing status, and the exact amount of the refund.

If you choose to review your transcripts then you have to set up an account and go through the ID me process. Until you return has been entered into the system and fully processed you will not see anything in the transcripts so until the where's my refund shows the returning processing looking at the transcripts is a waste of time.

Re: Tax refund

xmasbaby0 — Mon, 23 May 2022 13:25:54 GMT

Very sorry for the loss of your spouse. The IRS is severely backlogged so mailed returns are taking a long long time.

MAILED RETURNS

https://www.businessinsider.com/taxpayers-filing-paper-returns-wait-6-months-tax-refund-2022-4#:~:text=1%20Americans%20who%20filed%20taxes%20on%20paper%20may,led%20to%20a%20backlog%20of%20unprocessed%20tax%20returns.?msclkid=5bb8e331cf8811ecb392708ff5b3b9b7

It can take weeks (or a LOT longer since the IRS is severely backlogged) for anything to show up on the IRS site when you mail a tax return.

If you mail a tax return (or a payment) to the IRS, it is a good idea to use a mailing service that will track it like UPS or certified mail so you will know it was received.

When you mail a tax return, you need to attach any documents showing tax withheld, such as your W-2’s or any 1099’s.

TurboTax will not know anything about your mailed return, and will continue to show “Ready to Mail” on your account. TurboTax will not know that you put your tax return in an envelope and took it to a mailbox. TurboTax does not get updates on mailed (or e-filed) returns.

When the IRS opens its mail and begins to process mailed returns you can check the status on the IRS site. https://www.irs.gov/refunds

State returns have to be mailed to the state.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899433-how-do-i-track-my-state-refund

If you are wondering if you should send your return again——the IRS does not want you to file a second time. Putting two tax returns into the system at the same time can lead to confusion and even more delays. If you did not use tracking and do not know if the return was received—-you have to make your own judgment call and decide if you want to risk further delay by sending the return again.

Re: Tax refund

Critter-3 — Mon, 23 May 2022 13:26:23 GMT

FYI... the ID me system is not just for the federal government. State and local governments along with some employers also use the ID me system.