Mailed Paper Return Due to Missing IP PIN - Not Showing in System After Months

Unfortunately, your situation aligns with current IRS processing timelines. According to IRM 3.30.123, paper returns with IP PIN issues face extended processing times. The 16-week timeframe referenced by the IRS representative is accurate per Notice 2023-56, which acknowledged continued paper return backlogs. Since you filed in May 2024, you're approaching that window now. What's particularly interesting is your mention of multiple prior years being held - this suggests a potential taxpayer account freeze that would require manual review across all open tax years.

Based on your situation, here are some alternative approaches: • Request a Tax Account Transcript online - sometimes this shows a return in process even when WMR doesn't • Call the Identity Verification department directly at 800-830-5084 instead of the main line • Consider visiting a local Taxpayer Assistance Center (appointment required) • File Form 911 (Taxpayer Advocate Service request) if you're experiencing financial hardship • For next year, request your IP PIN early through the online portal - they typically become available in January The multiple missing years suggests something systematic rather than just normal delays.

I went through almost the identical situation last year when I had to paper file because of an IP PIN issue. After months of frustration, I used taxr.ai to analyze my transcript when it finally appeared. The tool explained exactly why my return was delayed - there was an identity verification hold that wasn't communicated to me. It also showed which CTC payments were missing and why. I could have saved months of stress if I'd known what was happening behind the scenes. Worth checking out at https://taxr.ai if you can get any transcript at all.

I might be able to offer some insight... I had a similar issue with a missing IP PIN last year. My return wasn't showing up for nearly 4 months after mailing it in. It seems that paper returns with IP PIN issues get routed to a special processing queue for manual review. When it finally appeared in the system, it processed rather quickly after that point, but the initial waiting period was extremely frustrating.

After waiting exactly 14 weeks for my paper return to process this year, I finally reached an IRS agent through Claimyr.com who confirmed my return was received but flagged for manual review due to the missing IP PIN. The agent was able to verify my identity over the phone and expedite the process. My return appeared in the system exactly 7 days later. The service costs $24.99 but saved me from waiting the full 16 weeks and potentially facing further delays. You can check them out at https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c if you're interested in speaking with an actual IRS representative without the typical 2-3 hour hold times.

I had a happy ending to a similar nightmare! Paper-filed in April 2023 with an IP PIN issue, and it took until August to even show up in the system. But once it did, everything processed within 3 weeks including my refund. The good news? They paid interest on the delayed refund too! 😂 So you might get a little bonus for all this trouble. Hang in there - the IRS moves at the speed of... well, the IRS.

Have you checked if there's an identity verification hold on your account? This happens frequently with IP PIN issues. Did you receive any letters at all from the IRS after filing? Sometimes they send notices to verify identity but they look like junk mail and people miss them. What about checking your transcript online - does it show any codes at all or just completely blank?

I worked with a client who had this exact scenario last tax season. Their 2022 return was paper-filed in April 2023 due to an IP PIN issue, and it didn't appear in the Integrated Automation Technologies (IAT) system until late August. The return had been flagged by the Taxpayer Protection Program (TPP) for manual review due to the missing PIN. Once it entered the system, it processed within 21 days. For the missing CTC payments, they had to file Form 8862 (Information To Claim Certain Credits After Disallowance) with their next return.

Did you receive any CP01 notices? Those indicate identity verification issues. Have you checked your transcript for TC 570 codes? What about your account transcript - sometimes that updates before your return transcript.