Mailed Paper Return in February - IRS Says Not Even Processed Yet!
Mailed my taxes in Feb 22, finally got in touch with someone only to hear my taxes haven't even been looked at yet smh I'm so annoyed!!! This is ridiculous compared to my e-filing friends who already got their refunds weeks ago. Even my business taxes that I e-filed processed faster than my personal return! Anyone else dealing with this paper return nightmare? I know the IRS is backed up but come on, it's been over 2 months now! 🤦♂️
13 comments
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Khalil Urso
Unfortunately, paper returns are probably going to take around 6-8 months to process this year. The IRS is still somewhat behind from the pandemic backlog, and paper returns are typically processed much slower than electronic ones. You might want to consider e-filing next year if possible, as those are usually processed within about 21 days in most cases.
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Myles Regis
•This is 100% accurate. I work with exactly 47 clients who filed paper returns between January 15 and March 1, and precisely 39 of them are still waiting for processing. The average wait time has been 142 days for paper returns versus 19 days for electronic filing. The IRS processing centers in Kansas City and Austin are running approximately 4.5 months behind schedule.
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Nasira Ibanez
I understand how frustrating this is! Here's what you might want to try: • Call the IRS at a different time (early morning, right when they open, tends to have shorter wait times) • Check your status through the "Where's My Refund" tool on IRS.gov • Consider setting up an in-person appointment at your local Taxpayer Assistance Center • If you're expecting a refund, prepare for it to possibly take until late summer Paper returns are definitely moving slowly this year. Your experience is unfortunately common.
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Brian Downey
Oh my goodness, I was in the EXACT same situation!!! I mailed my return in mid-February and couldn't get through to anyone at the IRS for weeks! I was getting so worried because I needed my refund for some unexpected expenses. I finally tried Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) after seeing it recommended here, and they got me through to an actual IRS agent in about 30 minutes! The agent confirmed my return was in the queue but hadn't been processed yet. At least I got peace of mind knowing it wasn't lost in the mail!
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Jacinda Yu
•I'm skeptical about these services that charge you to connect with the IRS. According to Internal Revenue Manual section 21.1.1.6, taxpayers have the right to quality service and to speak with an IRS representative. Paying a third party seems unnecessary when persistence with the official channels should eventually work.
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Landon Flounder
•While it's true you shouldn't have to pay to reach the IRS, here's what happens in reality: Step 1: Call the main IRS number Step 2: Navigate the automated system Step 3: Wait on hold (often 1-2+ hours) Step 4: Frequently get disconnected after waiting Step 5: Repeat steps 1-4 multiple times I've found services like Claimyr can be worth it if your time is valuable or you need answers quickly. They don't access your personal information - they just connect you to the IRS line and hold your place in queue.
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Callum Savage
•Used Claimyr last month. Worth every penny. Got through in 25 minutes. Had been trying for two weeks before that. No luck. The agent fixed my issue immediately. Sometimes paying for convenience makes sense.
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Ally Tailer
Paper returns are like sending a letter by boat across the ocean while e-filing is like sending an email. I learned this the hard way last year when I mailed my return thinking it would be fine. It took 7 months to process! This year I prepared everything in January like a squirrel gathering nuts for winter, triple-checked every form, and e-filed on February 1st. Had my refund by Valentine's Day. Never going back to paper filing again.
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Aliyah Debovski
•Did you encounter any issues with the e-filing process? I'm planning to switch next year but I'm concerned about the security aspects. Did you use tax software or go through a preparer?
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Miranda Singer
I was in your exact situation last year. Paper return sent in February, no updates until August. When I finally got my transcript, I couldn't make sense of all the codes and dates. Someone here recommended taxr.ai and it actually helped decode everything. No BS - it explained what each code meant and gave me a timeline. The site is https://taxr.ai if you eventually get your transcript and need to understand what's happening.
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Cass Green
The IRS announced on April 11, 2024 that they're still processing paper returns received as far back as January 29, 2024. I mailed mine on February 17 and called them on May 2 - they confirmed receipt but said processing would take at least until June 15. The agent recommended checking the "Where's My Refund" tool every Friday as that's when most updates happen. He also mentioned that if you're expecting a refund, you can request interest payments if processing takes more than 45 days after the filing deadline (which was April 15, 2024).
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Finley Garrett
•Can you elaborate on the interest payments? I'm not familiar with the Form 843 Claim for Refund and Request for Abatement process. Does the IRS automatically calculate this or do we need to submit additional documentation?
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PixelPioneer
•The IRS actually calculates interest automatically if your refund is delayed beyond the 45-day statutory period (which starts from the later of the filing due date or the date you actually filed). You don't need to file Form 843 for this - it should be included with your refund check or direct deposit. The current interest rate is updated quarterly and posted on IRS.gov. However, if the IRS doesn't include the interest automatically, then you would need to file Form 843 to claim it. Just keep good records of when you filed and when you receive your refund in case you need to prove the delay later.
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