Missing Refund (previous year)

Moonstruckpunx — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 05:03:20 GMT

I'm missing a refund from my 2018 taxes which were paper filed in February of this year. Is that a normal time frame?

Re: Missing Refund (previous year)

DoninGA — Tue, 28 Jun 2022 13:11:46 GMT

Paper filed tax returns are taking 6 months or longer for the IRS to process. You will need to be patient.

As long as the 2018 paper tax return was mailed and postmarked on or before April 15, 2022 the federal tax refund can still be issued to you by the IRS.

Re: Missing Refund (previous year)

NCperson — Tue, 28 Jun 2022 13:27:01 GMT

@Moonstruckpunx - the IRS processes paper filed returns in the order received, regardless of the tax year. the IRS announced last week that they had completed the paper filed returns received though Dec, 2021, and were about to begin processing those received in 2022.

While I agree it could be 6-9 months until it gets processed, there are posted on a Facebook board that individuals who also paper filed in February were beginning to see movement in their tax returns, so that is hope.

here is what the IRS states on its website:

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.

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Missing Refund (previous year)

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