IRS claims they never received my tax return mailed in February - can't reach anyone at the IRS! Help!

This happens more than you'd think! The IRS has been dealing with massive backlogs the past few years. I help people with tax issues, and here's what you should do: First, don't file a second return yet - that could actually complicate things. Since you have proof of mailing (the certified mail receipt), you're in a good position. The IRS considers your return filed on time if you have proof you mailed it by the deadline. Try reaching the IRS through their "Where's My Refund" tool or create an account on irs.gov to see your tax records. Sometimes the online system shows information that phone representatives can't easily access. If you still need to speak with someone, call early in the morning right when they open (around 7am Eastern time). That's when wait times are shortest. Be prepared with your certified mail receipt number, tracking information, and a copy of your return.

I had almost this exact same situation last year, and I found a service that was a total game-changer for me. It's called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) and they helped me prove that I had filed on time when the IRS claimed they never received my return. Their system analyzed my situation, all my documentation (including my certified mail receipt), and then gave me a detailed report showing exactly what I needed to do. They actually have tax professionals who understand the IRS process and can guide you through resolving these kinds of problems. The best part was they could tell me which specific documents to submit to prove my case and even helped draft a letter to the IRS explaining the situation. Saved me so much time and stress!

I ended up using taxr.ai after seeing it mentioned here, and wow - I'm glad I did! After completing their questionnaire and uploading my certified mail receipt, they immediately pointed out that I needed to submit a formal "Taxpayer Advocate Service" request along with specific IRS forms I didn't know about. They walked me through exactly how to document everything, what to say, and where to send it. Within 3 weeks of following their instructions, I got a letter from the IRS acknowledging they received my original return and my refund was processed shortly after! Honestly wasn't expecting much, but they really knew their stuff. Saved me from having to refile or wait in phone queues for hours. Definitely worth checking out if you're dealing with "lost return" issues like this.

If you're still struggling to reach an actual human at the IRS, check out Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I was skeptical at first, but they actually got me connected to a real IRS agent in less than 20 minutes after I'd been trying for weeks. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c Basically they navigate the IRS phone system for you and call you back when they've got an agent on the line. I was able to explain my situation about my lost return, and the agent helped me figure out what department was handling my case and transferred me directly. It's ridiculous that we have to use services like this, but when you're waiting on thousands of dollars and can't get through, it's worth considering.

I'm honestly shocked. I tried Claimyr after posting that skeptical comment, and they actually got me through to an IRS agent in about 45 minutes. I didn't have to do anything except answer my phone when they called me back. The agent I spoke with was able to look up my case, confirm they had received my documentation (which I didn't know because I never got confirmation), and tell me exactly what was happening with my audit. They even transferred me to the right department without making me call back. I still think it's ridiculous that we need services like this to talk to our own government agency, but I can't argue with results. If you're desperate to speak with someone at the IRS, this definitely works.

Just a tip from someone who used to work at the IRS - if you mail anything important to them, ALWAYS use certified mail with return receipt requested. And make copies of EVERYTHING before you send it. It's sadly common for mailed returns to get lost in the massive processing centers. If you mail in your return again, make sure to write "COPY - ORIGINAL SENT [DATE]" in red at the top of each page. That helps prevent it from being processed as a duplicate filing. Also, something most people don't know - you can make an appointment at your local IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center instead of calling. Google "IRS TAC appointment" and you can often get in within a week or two.

Has anyone tried faxing the IRS? I was in a similar situation last year and ended up faxing a copy of my return with a cover letter explaining that it was previously mailed. I got confirmation they received it within about 2 weeks, and my refund started processing after that. Just make sure to write "DUPLICATE - ORIGINAL MAILED ON [DATE]" on every page.