IRS Backlog
Q
CLIENT is ASKING ABOUT UNPROCESSED RETURN. What do I tell them?
A
Dear Client,
Due partially to the high volume of returns needing to be manually processed, the IRS currently has a large backlog (6 million as 12/23/21) of unprocessed individual returns. At this time, they are not giving estimates of when a return will be completed, but state that returns requiring “special handling” by an employee may take up to 120 days to process.
The IRS is currently requesting that if a tax return has not been processed, that the return not be resubmitted.
The IRS published the following regarding the processing of returns:
“We’re experiencing delays in processing paper tax returns due to limited staffing. If you filed electronically and received an acknowledgement, you do not need to take any further action other than promptly responding to any requests for information. If you already filed a paper return, we will process it in the order we received it. Please don’t file a second tax return or contact the IRS about the status of your return.”
The IRS is encouraging taxpayers to check Where’s My Refund? for their refund/return status.
I have added the link from the IRS.GOV website which provides the above information.
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-operations-during-covid-19-mission-critical-functions-continue
Other helpful links to check processing of returns -
- Where’s my refund? https://www.irs.gov/refunds
- Where’s my amended return? - https://www.irs.gov/filing/wheres-my-amended-return?
