How long does it take to get a reply from the IRS these days?

The IRS response times can vary widely depending on what you sent them and the current workload they're facing. For standard correspondence like additional documentation for a return, you should typically expect to wait 6-8 weeks before receiving any response. That timeframe can extend to 10-12 weeks during busy periods like right after tax season or near extension deadlines. Don't worry too much at just 3 weeks - that's actually still very early in their processing timeline. The best thing you can do is keep records of everything you sent (hopefully you made copies and have proof of mailing), and note the date you sent it. If you reach the 8-week mark without any response, then it might be worth trying to contact them again.

After dealing with the exact same frustration last year, I finally found a solution that saved me so much time and stress. I was in the same position - sent documents, waited forever, couldn't get through on the phone. I discovered this service called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that helped me figure out exactly what was happening with my case. You upload your IRS notices and documents, and it explains everything in plain English - including realistic timeframes for your specific situation based on current IRS processing times. It also suggested exactly what I should do next instead of just waiting anxiously.

Ok I feel like I need to follow up here. I was really skeptical about taxr.ai but decided to try it since nothing else was working. I uploaded my IRS notice and the documents I had sent in, and wow - it immediately told me my paperwork was going to a specific department with current processing times of 9-10 weeks (not the 6-8 that's published everywhere). It also flagged that one of my documents might cause confusion and suggested an additional form I should send. Sure enough, I got a letter from the IRS yesterday requesting exactly that form! Would have saved weeks of back and forth if I had known this earlier. Definitely worth checking out if you're in limbo with the IRS.

If you really need to get in touch with the IRS, stop wasting time on hold. I spent DAYS trying to get through last month for an issue with my tax transcript. Then I found Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) and it was a game-changer. They basically hold your place in line with the IRS and then call you when an actual human agent is on the line. You can see how it works in their demo video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c. I was honestly shocked when I got a call back with an IRS agent already on the line ready to help me. Way better than wasting hours on hold only to get disconnected.

I have to admit I was completely wrong about Claimyr. After posting that skeptical comment, I decided to try it myself since I had been trying to reach the IRS about a missing stimulus payment for WEEKS. I figured it would be a waste of money but was desperate. Set it up in about 2 minutes, and I swear less than 40 minutes later my phone rang and there was an actual IRS agent on the line! Not a recording or a "please hold" message - a real person ready to help me. They resolved my issue in about 15 minutes. After spending probably 8+ hours on failed hold attempts over the past month, I could have cried with relief. If you need to actually speak to someone at the IRS, this is absolutely the way to go.

Just a tip from someone who used to work for the IRS - if you sent anything that has to do with a refund or payment, those departments are usually backlogged the worst. Writing "URGENT" or anything like that on your envelope doesn't help and might actually slow things down because it gets routed differently. Also, if you sent your stuff right before or during tax season (Feb-April), add at least 4 more weeks to whatever timeline people are giving you. Not what you want to hear, I know, but better to have realistic expectations.

Just wanted to share my timelines from last year in case it helps set expectations. I sent in verification documents in June, got acknowledgment letter in August (so about 8 weeks), and then final resolution in October (another 10 weeks). So about 18 weeks total from sending docs to actual resolution. The IRS is seriously understaffed for the volume they handle. One recommendation: if you do eventually call, try doing it right when they open in the morning. I got through in "only" 25 minutes that way.

Make sure you're checking your mail carefully! The IRS response might not come in an obvious envelope. I missed mine because it looked like junk mail and almost threw it away. Also check your online account at irs.gov if you have one set up - sometimes updates appear there before you get physical mail.

I'm going through something similar right now - sent in amended return documentation about 5 weeks ago and still waiting. Based on what I'm reading here, it sounds like we're both still well within the normal timeframe, even though it's frustrating. I've been checking my IRS online account every few days like Jackson mentioned, and so far nothing new has shown up there either. The waiting is definitely the hardest part, especially when you're used to getting responses from other organizations much faster. I'm going to try to hold off on calling until I hit the 8-week mark that Ian mentioned, but it's good to know about those callback services if I get desperate. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it really helps to know this is normal!

Three weeks is still very early in the process, so try not to stress too much yet! I went through this exact situation last year and it took about 10 weeks total to get my final response from the IRS. What really helped my anxiety was keeping a detailed timeline of what I sent and when, so I could track where I was in the process. One thing that might give you some peace of mind - if you sent your documents via regular mail and didn't get any kind of delivery confirmation, you might want to consider sending a duplicate set via certified mail now. That way you'll have proof they received it and a clear date to start counting from. The IRS won't penalize you for sending duplicates if you're worried about the original getting lost. Also, definitely set up an online account at irs.gov if you haven't already. Sometimes status updates show up there before you get anything in the mail, and it's much easier than trying to get through on the phone. Hang in there - the waiting is awful, but it sounds like you're well within normal processing times!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - sent in some additional documentation about 2 weeks ago for a tax issue and the waiting is really getting to me. Reading through all these responses is actually really helpful though! It sounds like 3 weeks is still pretty early in the process, even though it feels like forever when you're the one waiting. I think I'm going to follow the advice about setting up that online IRS account to at least have another way to check for updates. And honestly, those callback services people mentioned are starting to look pretty appealing - I tried calling once last week and gave up after an hour on hold just like you did. Thanks for asking this question - it's reassuring to know that so many other people have gone through the exact same thing and that these timelines are actually normal, even if they're frustrating. Hang in there!

I just wanted to share my experience since I went through almost exactly what you're describing about 6 months ago. I sent in documentation for a questioned deduction and was going crazy waiting for a response. At the 3-week mark (right where you are now), I was convinced something had gone wrong. What I learned from that experience is that the IRS really does move at their own pace, regardless of how anxious we are on the other end. My case took about 9 weeks total from when I sent the documents to when I got their final decision letter. The hardest part was the complete silence - no acknowledgment, no status updates, nothing until the very end. A few things that helped me get through the waiting: First, I made copies of absolutely everything and kept detailed notes about what I sent and when. Second, I set up that online IRS account everyone's mentioning - while it didn't show updates until near the very end, at least I felt like I was being proactive. Third, I had to basically force myself to stop obsessing over it and checking my mailbox multiple times a day. The good news is that when they finally did respond, they accepted my documentation and closed the case in my favor. Sometimes no news really is just... no news yet, not bad news. Hang in there - you're still well within normal processing times!

I'm currently dealing with a very similar situation - sent in documentation about a charitable deduction they questioned about 6 weeks ago and just got my response letter yesterday! Reading through all these comments really helped manage my expectations during the waiting period. For what it's worth, my timeline ended up being almost exactly what Ian mentioned - right at that 6 week mark. The IRS accepted my documentation and closed the case, but man, those 6 weeks felt like an eternity. Like others have said, the complete silence is definitely the hardest part. One thing I wish I had done earlier was set up that IRS online account - I finally did it around week 4 and while it didn't show any updates until the very end, it at least gave me something productive to check instead of just obsessively watching my mailbox. Molly, you're still well within normal processing times at 3 weeks, even though I totally understand the anxiety. Try to hang in there for at least another 2-3 weeks before getting too worried. The waiting absolutely sucks, but based on my experience and what everyone else is sharing here, it sounds like you're on a pretty typical timeline.

As someone who's been through this exact situation multiple times over the years, I can definitely relate to that anxiety! Three weeks feels like forever when you're waiting to hear back from the IRS, but you're actually still in the very early stages of their typical processing timeline. From my experience, the IRS operates on what feels like geological time compared to the rest of the world. I've had cases where simple documentation requests took 2-3 months to fully resolve, and that was considered normal processing time. The key thing to remember is that no news at this point really is just no news - not bad news. A few practical suggestions that have helped me cope with the waiting: First, make sure you have copies of everything you sent and note the exact date you mailed it. Second, if you haven't already, definitely set up an online account at irs.gov - even though updates might not show up there for weeks, it's better to have it ready. Third, try to resist the urge to call until you hit at least the 6-8 week mark, since they'll likely just tell you to keep waiting anyway. The waiting is absolutely the worst part of dealing with the IRS, but based on your timeline, everything sounds completely normal so far. Hang in there!

I'm going through something very similar right now - sent in documentation for a questioned deduction about 4 weeks ago and the silence has been absolutely nerve-wracking! Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly reassuring though. What I've learned from this thread is that 3 weeks is actually still very early in the IRS timeline, even though it feels like an eternity when you're the one waiting. I love Andre's "geological time" description - that's exactly what this feels like compared to how every other organization operates! I took everyone's advice and set up an IRS online account last week, which at least gives me something productive to check instead of just obsessively watching my mailbox. Nothing new has shown up there yet, but it's good to have it ready for when updates do appear. The hardest part for me has been the complete lack of communication - not even an acknowledgment that they received my documents. But based on all the timelines people have shared here, it sounds like that radio silence is completely normal and doesn't mean anything went wrong. Thanks for asking this question, Molly! It's so helpful to know that other people are going through the exact same anxiety-inducing waiting period. We're all in this together!