Filers who mailed paper returns in April 2025 - has anyone received their return-receipt or refund yet?

[Solar Eclipse]

Has anyone who mailed a paper return in April received their refund or return-receipt back yet? Or at least seen the tracking indicate the receipt is on the way back? It is almost June and the agency website seems to indicate they haven't even begun processing paper returns received in April.

Am wondering what others are experiencing...

SE

[fanfare]

Even if your paper return is not yet processed, if you filed for a refund, you should see your return status on the "Where's my Refund" page.

What does it say ?

@Solar Eclipse 

[Solar Eclipse]

Incorrect, unlike an electronic filing, a paper filing generally won't reflect a WMR status until processing has actually begun.  Anyway, please let's stay within the confines of the original question.

Thanks,

SE

[xmasbaby0]

Not sure why you think @fanfare's reply was incorrect.  When you file by mail, it can take three or four weeks after you mail your return before a human at the IRS even opens the envelope.   Once it has been received and opened, it will be entered into the system and you can start to track your refund on the IRS refund site.

You need your filing status, your Social Security number and the exact amount  (line 35a of your 2024 Form 1040) of your federal refund to track your Federal refund:   

https://www.irs.gov/refunds

[Solar Eclipse]

Again, incorrect.  Please stop derailing the topic of this thread with WMR commentary and incorrect conjecture more affiliated with electronic filing.  None of that is what the question of this post specifically inquires about.

It can take 4-6 weeks before a paper return might reflect in the system and begin the processing cycle.  And can potentially take much longer.  As I already stated, according to the agency website they are still working on returns received in March.  I am looking to hear from others who paper filed in April to get some real-life feedback about what they are experiencing in terms of receiving their return-receipt or refund.

SE

[PaulaM]

You can see the status of your paper filed return on the IRS's 'Where's my Refund' page. Fanfare and xmasbaby0 are correct. Excerpt from this IRS link:

'Use this tool to check your refund. Your refund status will appear around:

• 24 hours after you e-file a current-year return
• 3 or 4 days after you e-file a prior-year return
• 4 weeks after you file a paper return'
   

With regards to your question about return-receipt, if you have not received the delivery receipt from USPS you can file PS Form 3811-A  (Request for delivery information/Return Receipt) within 90 days of purchasing that service. 
 

If you used a different delivery carrier, check with that carrier for their policies to track or verify a missing receipt.