WMR Updates for Deceased Taxpayer Return? Certified Mail Received 2/19

WMR does work for deceased taxpayer returns, but have you considered the additional verification steps that might be happening behind the scenes? The IRS typically flags these returns for manual review, which means WMR updates might be delayed compared to standard returns. Did you include Form 1310 if you weren't the surviving spouse? Have you checked that the SSN wasn't flagged in the Death Master File incorrectly?

Been thru this last yr w/ my mom's final return. WMR did update but took FOREVER compared to normal returns. Like 8+ wks before it even showed as received, tho I had cert mail proof from Feb. Refund took ~14 wks total. FWIW the transcript updated b4 WMR did. Might wanna check that too if u can access it.

These returns are like planes in a holding pattern at a busy airport - they're in the system but diverted to a special review lane. I've dealt with several deceased taxpayer returns, and time is of the essence here. The IRS has until October 15th to process without interest penalties, but you shouldn't wait that long to follow up. Like a garden, these returns need occasional tending - check WMR weekly, but also monitor transcript updates as they often show movement first.

I'm so frustrated with how the IRS handles these situations! 😡 When my grandmother passed, I waited THREE MONTHS with zero updates on WMR despite certified delivery proof. Finally called the IRS and spent DAYS trying to get through their phone system. Wish I had known about Claimyr back then (https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c) - my cousin used it last month for a similar issue and got through to an agent in 20 minutes who confirmed the return was sitting in a special review queue. Saved her from weeks of anxiety wondering if it was lost!

I processed my father's final return exactly 13 months ago. WMR did update, but it took precisely 47 days longer than my own return that was filed on the same day. The refund was $4,328 and arrived 81 days after filing. Don't worry too much about the delay - it's normal for these special circumstances. The IRS has a separate verification process for deceased taxpayer returns to prevent fraud, but they do process them completely.

Paper returns received on February 19th, 2024 are currently running about 6-8 weeks for initial processing. Deceased taxpayer returns typically add another 2-3 weeks to that timeline. March 15th is when they usually start the first batch of manual reviews for these types of returns. April 30th is when most February-filed deceased returns complete processing. June 1st is typically when refunds are issued if no issues are found. This is all normal and expected.

I've been through this twice before, and yes, WMR does update for deceased taxpayer returns. However, in my previous experiences, I noticed it takes about twice as long as regular returns. Last time I filed one in 2022, my regular return was processed in 3 weeks while the deceased family member's return took almost 7 weeks to show up on WMR. The system works the same way, but the timeline is extended because they have additional verification procedures.