IRS says I did not file but they cashed my check....

[a nonymous]

So I went to efile and got the AGI rejected problem. Sucky since I used TurboTax last year and so I am quite certain I know what my AGI is - but I kept getting rejected on an AGI mismatch. 

So I try to get transcripts of my taxes to get my AGI off of that, the by mail method was a bust since they said I had no file for last year - silly. But after waiting for 2 weeks to get the verification PIN snail mailed to me, I can get into my IRS account online. There I see that I have a, not a Tax Return Transcripts, but instead I have a Verification of Non-Filing for last year. Confused, I go back to my checking account and confirm the IRS cashed the check I mailed with my return in the same envelope.... What the Heck!!! I should add that I filed after April 15, and likely just after the June 15th deadline in 2020. my check was cashed on July 29th. I do not know when I filed exactly (it was a year ago...) but the cancelled check has a date of June 22nd on it, so likely around that time.  

So now I have 2 questions:

1) What do I put on my return this year for my AGI to allow me to efile, when the IRS wants it to match nothing for verification - since they think I did not file last year. 

2) How do I get this straightened out? They obviously got my return. Do I just mail it again? Is there a late filing fee or something? how do I avoid that when they clearly got my return? I would imagine this is far enough out of the realm of the ordinary that I would need to talk to someone at the IRS. Is that even possible?

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

No do not pay again or file 2019 again.  The IRS is severely backlogged and is behind in updating transcripts.  Keep a record of the payment you made just in case you ever get a letter from the IRS saying you did not pay for 2019.

 If it was rejected for AGI—-be aware that many 2019 returns took so long for the IRS to process that your 2019 AGI might not be in the IRS system.   Try using zero instead.

If filing with zero is rejected then file again but select the option that you did not file last year.  The IRS does not see that question and it will allow you to e-file with no AGI question.

Or—-if you filed as a “non-filer” just to get the stimulus check on a 2019 return, try using $1 as the AGI.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/agi/help/where-do-i-correct-my-agi-in-turbotax-online/00/26311

If that does not work and you still cannot e-file, then print, sign, and mail your tax return.

[a nonymous]

THANK YOU!!!! and on a weekend no less!

I already tried the $0 trick a few times, with no luck. The 'help me fix it' link does not take me to a spot to adjust the AGI amount to a 'I did not file' - so I backed up and went through the efile process again and got it done.

I am in a hurry to get my stimulus check, and I know filing taxes are a good way to help that all happen, especially doing it electronically with Direct Deposit. So I was kinda in a hurry... so I sent paper returns last week after I had waited a week for that dumb PIN to come from the IRS in the mail with no response. 

Will I get my wrists slapped if I send my efile today with paper returns already in the mail a week ago? I also happen to have a decent refund, so between the refunds and the stimulus it is a few grand motivating me to be in a hurry.

Of course, sometimes things can only go as fast as they can go when the IRS is involved.....

[JotikaT2]

If you have not electronically filed, I recommend not doing it since you have already mailed your return in. 

If anything, it will prompt a further investigation by the IRS as they will spend additional time trying to figure out why they have an electronic filed return and a paper return in hand.  

@a nonymous

[tom5181942]

I had the same problem.  I  just e-filed 2021 federal and state returns by putting a $0 agi and "no return filed"

the federal return has been accepted, state pending (common for 24 to 48 hours).   Currently working on 2020 and 2019 returns which the IRS says I didn't file but they cashed the checks which were attached.  Impossible to talk to anyone at the IRS but we will keep trying.  

[DaraLO]

@tom5181942 The Taxpayer Advocate Service can provide assistance with tax issues you can’t solve on your own.  This may be a good time to take advantage of the service.  Here is the website:  https://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/