I mailed my tax return for this year as I didn't have a reference number off my last years return. Will I get a reference number for the mailed tax return this year?

[hjmadray]

Will I get sent a confirmation number or reference back from IRS, that I will be able to put on next years return? No refunds are due to me this year, therefore, how will I know that my return for 2016 has been received and processed by the IRS?

[SweetieJean]

Do you owe taxes for 2016?

[hjmadray]

No, I was in the UK for most of the year and paid tax there, so nothing is owed and no refunds are due for 2016

[DoninGA · Accepted solution]

The IRS does not send you any confirmation that a tax return was received, either e-filed or mailed.  If you did not use some type of tracking service when mailing the return you will not know if the IRS ever received the tax return.

For tax year 2017 you will need to enter the 2016 AGI to electronically file the 2017 tax return.  You should always keep a copy of your tax returns after filing.  Download the PDF of your 2016 tax return from the Welcome Home screen after you sign onto your online account.

[hjmadray]

So the AGI is generated by Turbo Tax when I completed the 2016 return online before sending then? That is good to know, I thought it would have to come from the IRS. I tracked my mail to them and it did get there, wasn't sure if we needed anything else from them.

[DoninGA]

The AGI (Adjusted Gross Income) is a calculated value entered on your tax return -
Form 1040 – Line 37
Form 1040A – Line 21
Form 1040EZ – Line 4

[hjmadray]

Thank you very much. That makes sense. I didn't have my previous years return as it was mailed in from the UK and I mislaid the copy during moving. So looks like efiling will be much easier next year now!

[Opus 17]

The IRS does not send notifications.

You can check for a transcript here after about 3 weeks to see if your return was processed.  (You should have used a mailing service with tracking.)

https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript

If you are referring to your AGI that you need to verify your identity to e-file, because you filed so late, your AGI from your 2016 tax return may not be in the system to allow you to e-file your 2017 return.  Try your AGI, and then try zero, and if neither of those work, you will need to mail your 2017 tax return as well.