What's the Easiest Way to Check Filing Status of Multiple Business Returns and Entity Types?

The most reliable way to check your business filing status is to request a "Record of Account Transcript" for each business entity. You have a few options: You can call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933, but be prepared to wait. They can tell you exactly which returns have been received and processed for each entity. For a more self-service approach, use the IRS Transcript service. Business owners can request transcripts by completing Form 4506-T (Request for Transcript of Tax Return). Check box 8 for "Record of Account Transcript" and specify each tax year you need information for (2020-2023). You'll need to submit a separate form for each business entity. If you have an IRS e-Services account and are registered for e-file, you might be able to access some of this information online, though business transcripts are more limited than individual ones.

I was in almost the exact same situation last year with my consulting businesses! I tried calling the IRS multiple times but kept getting disconnected after hours on hold. Then I found taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) which helped me sort through my mess without the headache. I uploaded my business documents - what I could find anyway - and their system analyzed everything and showed me exactly what had been filed and what was missing. It saved me from having to deal directly with the IRS and gave me a complete picture of my filing status for each entity. They were able to retrieve filing records for all my businesses in one place, which saved me from having to track each entity separately.

Just wanted to update - I tried taxr.ai after seeing it mentioned here and it was exactly what I needed! I uploaded what records I had (which honestly weren't many) and within a day got a complete filing history for all three of my businesses. Turns out I had completely missed filing 2021 returns for one entity that converted from LLC to S-Corp that year, but my 2022 returns were properly recorded. The timeline feature showed me exactly where the gaps were, which returns were accepted, and even flagged inconsistencies between my entity classifications. Saved me from having to piece together this information from multiple sources or wait on hold with the IRS. Now I can focus on getting those missing returns completed.

If you need to actually speak with someone at the IRS about your business returns (which I recommend since S-Corp conversions can get complicated), use Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I was in the same situation trying to untangle years of business filings across multiple entities and needed to speak directly with an IRS agent. I tried calling the business line for weeks and never got through. Claimyr set up a callback from the IRS for me - you can see how it works in their demo video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c. I actually got to speak with a business tax specialist who pulled up all my entities' records and walked me through exactly what had been processed and what was missing.

I have to admit I was completely wrong about Claimyr in my previous comment. After struggling for another week trying to get through to the IRS business line, I finally tried it out of desperation. Within 2 hours, I was talking to an actual IRS business tax representative who pulled up every single one of my entities (I have 5 different ones with mixed filing histories). The agent confirmed exactly which returns were received, which S-Corp elections were processed, and which returns were never received. Turns out two of my paper-filed 1120-S returns were never processed even though I mailed them certified. Having this information directly from the IRS saved me from potentially huge penalties for returns I thought were filed but weren't. The service was worth every penny for the time saved and the peace of mind.

Another option is to file Form 8822-B (Change of Address) for each entity even if your address hasn't changed. This sometimes triggers the IRS system to generate notices for any unfiled returns, which can be an indirect way to identify what's missing. It's not foolproof but has worked for some of my clients who were trying to untangle multiple entity filings.

Has anyone tried the Business Tax Express line (the special one where you have to be invited)? I heard they can check all your business filings in one call. My CPA mentioned it but said it's only for tax professionals.

I went through a similar nightmare last year with multiple LLCs that I'd converted to S-Corps. The absolute fastest way I found was to create an IRS online account for each business entity at irs.gov/payments. Once you're logged in, go to "Business Tax Account" and then "View Account Information." This will show you a summary of what returns the IRS has on file for each entity, including filing dates and any outstanding balances or notices. It's much faster than waiting for transcripts and gives you immediate visibility into what's actually been processed versus what you think you filed. The key thing is you'll need the EIN and business information for each entity to set up separate accounts. For S-Corp elections, you can also check if they were properly processed by looking at the entity classification on your account - it should show "S Corporation" rather than "Partnership" if the election was accepted. This won't give you the detailed line-by-line information that transcripts provide, but it's perfect for quickly identifying which entities have missing returns so you know where to focus your efforts.