E-File submission vs. Paper submission

[iPhotog24]

I have an issue that I don't know what to do.  I paper filed my taxes 5/13/21 was scheduled for a direct deposit refund, but have not received yet.  I contacted IRS and they told me to re-file electronically.  I used Turbo Tax but I uploaded my W2 and i had to submit both state and federal tax, but I already filed my State Tax and received my refund/payment already.   

My turbotax submission was rejected because it recognized my SSN i think from my state tax and now I don't know what to do?  How the heck do i get my refund now?  Am I at the mercy of the government and just wait for a year or more to get my refund?  Now when i try to schedule an appt. w/IRS i keep getting a call back later message because they are to busy or some nonsense

Beyond frustrated. :-{

[Bsch4477]

Unfortunately paper returns take more than 6 months to process. Your only course is to be patient. 

[iPhotog24]

This is the first year it's taken so long.  Year before it was less then 2 months.  Just worried that IRS will come back and haunt me because they think i didn't file, then I get audited or some craziness...

[xmasbaby0]

@iPhotog24 The very severely backlogged IRS is taking months to process mailed returns.   Do not try to compare the processing time you have experienced in the past to your 2020 tax return and expect it to be similar.

Per the IRS:

COVID-19 Mail Processing Delays

It’s taking us longer to process mailed documents including:

• Paper tax returns, and
• All tax return related correspondence.

We are processing all mail in the order we received it.

Do not file a second tax return or call the IRS.

 It can take 3-4 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.  Expect at least several months for complete processing of a mailed return and probably MUCH longer.

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 judgement call and decide if you want to risk further delay by sending the return again.

[rjs]

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@iPhotog24 wrote:

This is the first year it's taken so long.

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This is the first year that the IRS was closed for months because of a pandemic, then reopened with reduced staff and had to deal with last-minute tax law changes, including retroactive changes, and sending out stimulus payments, in addition to their normal workload.

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@iPhotog24 wrote:

Just worried that IRS will come back and haunt me because they think i didn't file

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They know they are severely backlogged.