Will IRS Process 2023 Return Before Completing My Unprocessed 2022 Return?

Yes, they absolutely can and DO process current returns while prior years are still pending! I filed my 2021 return on April 12, 2022, and it sat unprocessed for months. Then I filed my 2022 return on February 3, 2023, and got that refund on February 27, 2023 - while my 2021 return was STILL processing! My 2021 return wasn't finally processed until March 14, 2023. The IRS doesn't have a system that automatically links or prioritizes your returns by year - they process them as separate cases in separate departments.

Oh my goodness, the IRS processing system is so much more compartmentalized than most people realize! I've seen this happen countless times with clients. Their returns are processed completely independently by year. I'm actually a bit worried about your 2022 return though - anything that's been delayed this long usually has an issue. Have you checked your transcript? A tool like https://taxr.ai could help interpret what's happening - it analyzes your transcript and explains all those confusing codes in plain English. I was SHOCKED at how clearly it explained why my client's return from last year was held up!

The systems are separate. Each tax year is processed independently. They don't automatically link them. They don't flag previous years. Paper returns take longer. E-filed returns process faster. Your 2023 return might finish first. This is normal. No need to worry.

Have you tried calling the IRS to check on your 2022 return status? I was in a similar situation and spent hours trying to get through their phone system without success. Are you getting any notices or just silence? I finally used Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) after wasting days trying to reach someone. Got connected to an actual IRS agent in about 15 minutes who explained my 2022 return needed additional verification but my 2023 was processing normally. Was the service worth the cost for you?

I'm curious, did you perhaps file your 2022 return on paper and the 2023 electronically? In my experience, this could potentially explain the processing discrepancy. Or did you possibly have any unusual credits or deductions on the 2022 return that might have triggered additional review? Sometimes, certain tax situations can cause what appears to be a processing delay but is actually just a more thorough examination.

Just to clarify what others have said - your returns are basically like ships passing in the night as far as the IRS is concerned. 😂 They don't look at one and say "hey wait, let's check if this person has other returns in process!" Each tax year is its own separate universe. I was panicking about this exact thing last month until I got my 2023 refund while my amended 2021 return is STILL being processed. The only time they really connect them is if you have a balance due from a previous year, then they might offset your current refund.

I experienced this exact scenario last year. My 2021 Form 1040 remained unprocessed while my 2022 return was fully processed within 21 days of e-filing. The key factor is the processing pathway. Current-year electronic returns typically follow the Automated Under-Reporter (AUR) pathway, while prior-year returns, especially paper submissions, are routed through the Submission Processing Center (SPC) workflow. When I contacted the IRS through the Practitioner Priority Service line, they confirmed these are parallel processes with separate resource allocations and timeline metrics.

Hate to be the bearer of bad news but my 2021 return is STILL unprocessed and we're in 2024 now. IRS processed my 2022 and 2023 returns no prob. When I finally got thru to someone, turns out my 2021 return got flagged for identity verification but they never sent the letter. Now I'm stuck in bureaucratic hell trying to prove I'm me from 3 yrs ago. Check ur mail carefully and don't assume no news is good news w/ the IRS. They can process returns out of order and it can bite u later.