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June 2, 2021
Question

Why does the IRS website say I haven't filed yet?

  • June 2, 2021
  • 1 reply
  • 0 views

I electronically filed my return on March 21, 2021. I am waiting on my refund, and the IRS site says it hasn't received my return. I cannot find a phone number anywhere for either Turbo Tax or IRS that is actually answered by a real person. 

    1 reply

    Critter-3
    June 2, 2021

    The IRS is seriously backlogged due to all the new tax laws and extra stimulus filings, as well as unprocessed 2019 returns left over from the COVID shutdown.  Lots of other folks are still waiting (some since mid-February), so please continue to be patient.  Also see:

    At least 8 million tax returns are in limbo at the IRS because of the pandemic, delaying refunds (ms...

     

     

     

    Have you checked your status here: TurboTax and IRS ?  If TT says the return was accepted for processing it was even if you cannot find it on the IRS website.  On the IRS site you must enter the SS# of the  first person listed on the return, the correct filing status and the refund from the originally filed return. 

     

    Although the IRS has processed and issued most refunds from e-filed returns around 21 days, because of the pileup caused by Covid, CARES Act, stimulus and the American Rescue Plan Act, some of the returns will require more time to review. 

     

     Several items can  delay the processing of the 2020 return ... some of which are :   

    > unemployment

    > repayment of the PTC

    > stimulus credit  on line 30 of the 2020 form 1040

    > if you used the 2019 earned income for the 2020 EIC &/or  CTC/ACTC

    > if you have prior year balance dues or unfiled returns

    > the info on the W-2 doesn't match what the employer sent in and/or the employer's W-2 is not yet on file

    > a variety of other items that require humans to look at

     

    Due to understaffing and over tasking at the IRS again this year many returns will be delayed for as much as months.  The aging computer system is being over taxed trying to process millions of  2019 returns and 2020 returns (some of which will need extra processing this year due to the late tax law changes)  AND putting out the third stimulus payments.  If you want to vent to someone then contact your  local congress person and demand they fund the IRS sufficiently so that they can hire enough people and update their computer systems to handle all of the demands made upon this agency.  The IRS  can only do so much with the continued reductions to their budget. 

                  

     

    See these  recent news articles for some sad truths:

     

    The IRS is behind in processing nearly 7 million tax returns, slowing refunds as it implements new s...

     

    Where is my damn IRS tax refund? New answers emerge as delays frustrate millions (msn.com)

     

    https://money.yahoo.com/taxpayers-waiting-to-get-last-years-tax-refund-190333088.html

     

    https://money.yahoo.com/irs-employees-say-out-of-ink-printers-are-delaying-tax-returns-171522801.html

                                                            

     

    Called the IRS lately? Agency struggles to hire customer service reps despite pandemic unemployment ...