Why sign in to the Community?

  • Submit a question
  • Check your notifications
Sign in to the Community or Sign in to TurboTax and start working on your taxes
New Member
posted May 22, 2020 12:55:46 PM

I mailed my federal return in february, it has not been processed, i assume it is lost can i submit electronically

i mailed my federal return in february, it has not been processed, i assume it is lost can i submit electronically

1 8 1185
1 Best answer
Expert Alumni
May 22, 2020 1:20:04 PM

The Internal Revenue Service has stopped processing paper tax returns, with much of its staff now working remotely because of the coronavirus pandemic. 

 

The IRS has instructed that if you already have filed via paper but it has not yet been processed, do not file a second tax return or write to the IRS to inquire about the status of your return or your economic impact payment.  The IRS has said that paper returns will be processed once processing centers are able to reopen.

 

If you haven't already done so, you can check the status of your refund at this IRS website.  You'll need to enter your Social Security Number, your Filing Status and the refund amount as shown on your tax return.

8 Replies
Expert Alumni
May 22, 2020 1:20:04 PM

The Internal Revenue Service has stopped processing paper tax returns, with much of its staff now working remotely because of the coronavirus pandemic. 

 

The IRS has instructed that if you already have filed via paper but it has not yet been processed, do not file a second tax return or write to the IRS to inquire about the status of your return or your economic impact payment.  The IRS has said that paper returns will be processed once processing centers are able to reopen.

 

If you haven't already done so, you can check the status of your refund at this IRS website.  You'll need to enter your Social Security Number, your Filing Status and the refund amount as shown on your tax return.

New Member
May 22, 2020 4:28:40 PM

ichecked the status and it told me it has not been processed yet. Does that mean they recieved it? 

Level 15
May 22, 2020 5:07:39 PM

On the IRS website at https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-operations-during-covid-19-mission-critical-functions-continue it specifically states, "If you already have filed via paper but it has not yet been processed, do not file a second tax return or write to the IRS to inquire about the status of your return or your Economic Impact Payment. Paper returns will be processed once processing centers are able to reopen. "

 

Level 1
Jun 11, 2020 8:33:07 AM

I am in the same situation as above except I mailed in my return april 14 for 2019 tax return. I also check the status. I got a reply"We have no record.  Wow! I know there is a pandemic going on but After the july 15 dead line they will charge me penalty. You all know how government workers operate tsk tsk.

Level 15
Jun 11, 2020 8:45:44 AM

@kuntilan_34 There is no penalty for being late  when you are getting a refund.  And even if you owe tax due, if your payment is in that envelope that you mailed, the postmark will show that you sent it before the 7-15 deadline, so you are fine.

 

Your return was filed on time--the IRS is backlogged due to the pandemic.

 

Per the IRS website IRS Operations During COVID-19: Mission-critical functions continueThe IRS is not currently able to process individual paper tax returns. If you already have filed via paper but it has not yet been processed, do not file a second tax return or write to the IRS to inquire about the status of your return or your economic impact payment. Paper returns will be processed  once processing centers are able to reopen. 

 

https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/20/politics/irs-mail-trailers-covid/index.html

Level 1
Jun 11, 2020 8:59:39 AM

I ALWAYS spend the extra $$ for a signed receipt.  

New Member
Jun 11, 2020 11:20:53 AM

I also mailed my federal return 3 months ago  and I can not get any info on the status.

Even if the IRS is not processing mailed in returns, can they let me know if it is sitting on someone's desk?

If it disappeared in the mail, I would like to know so I can resend it. 

If I do resend I now no longer have my W-2's to include. HELP!!

 

Level 15
Jun 11, 2020 11:37:19 AM

@lisa Iliff

MAILED RETURNS

Per the IRS website IRS Operations During COVID-19: Mission-critical functions continueThe IRS is not currently able to process individual paper tax returns. If you already have filed via paper but it has not yet been processed, do not file a second tax return or write to the IRS to inquire about the status of your return or your economic impact payment. Paper returns will be processed  once processing centers are able to reopen. 

 

 

 

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 finally 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

 

 

https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/20/politics/irs-mail-trailers-covid/index.html