How far behind is IRS in processing paper returns?

The IRS has generally been able to process a refund within two weeks for an electronically filed tax return and up to six weeks for a paper tax return.

Is the IRS behind on processing paper returns?

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the IRS has fallen nearly a year behind in processing paper tax returns. As of March 18, 2022, the paper return backlog stood at nearly 15 million. Most taxpayers receive refunds, so return processing delays generally mean refund delays.

How long are IRS paper returns taking?

If you file a complete and accurate paper tax return, your refund should be issued in about six to eight weeks from the date IRS receives your return. If you file your return electronically, your refund should be issued in less than three weeks, even faster when you choose direct deposit.

How backlogged is the IRS with processing returns?

“IRS began the filing season with a backlog of 8 million individual and business returns from the prior year that it processed alongside incoming returns,” said the report. “IRS reduced the backlog of prior year returns, but as of late December 2021, had about 10.5 million returns to process from 2021.

Is the IRS still backlogged?

The report, released Thursday by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, found that backlog inventories left over from the 2021 filing season are larger than those in the 2020 filing season.

2022 IRS TAX REFUND UPDATE - BREAKING NEWS - REFUNDS SENT, DELAYS, EXTENDED DELAY TIMES OF 6+ Months

Why is IRS so far behind?

Here, at last, is the real reason your tax return is delayed: It's not the pandemic. It's that the IRS handles too much paper and has failed to adopt scanning technology that could have significantly reduced the current backlog of returns.

Is the IRS backlogged 2021?

IRS faced an unprecedented workload during the 2021 filing season. It began with a backlog of 8 million returns from the prior year. IRS reduced the backlog, but still had millions of new 2021 returns to process by year's end.

Why are paper returns taking so long?

COVID-19 Processing Delays

It's taking us longer than normal to process mailed correspondence and more than 21 days to issue refunds for certain mailed and e-filed 2020 tax returns that require review. Thank you for your patience. The IRS issues more than 9 out of 10 refunds in less than 21 days.

How long is the IRS taking to process paper returns 2022?

Filed a Tax Return (Updated May 6, 2022)

This work does not typically require us to correspond with taxpayers but does require special handling by an IRS employee so, in these instances, it is taking the IRS more than 21 days to issue any related refund and in some cases this work could take 90 to 120 days.

Is IRS behind on refunds 2022?

IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig promised lawmakers in March his agency will clear a backlog of more than 20 million unprocessed tax returns by the end of this year, but an internal watchdog has warned Congress that “the IRS is in crisis” and taxpayers could be in for more delays in 2022.

Is IRS backed up 2020?

In 2020, the IRS postponed the filing deadline for tax year 2019 tax returns from April 15 to July 15 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Taxpayers who filed their returns on July 15, 2020, may reasonably believe they have until July 15, 2023, to obtain full refunds.

Why is my tax return still being processed 2020?

If you're still waiting on your tax refund, it's possible that your tax return is taking longer for the IRS to process because it requires additional review. There are several reasons why your tax return may be delayed: Errors such as an incomplete filing status. Missing information.

How long is the delay for tax returns?

Enter IRS Form 8379. While not as common as some of the other causes, this tax-refund delay is significant. According to the instructions of Form 8379, taxpayers filing the form should expect up to 14 weeks of processing time, or up to 11 weeks if filing electronically.

How do I know if the IRS received my tax return by mail 2022?

The tool can tell you the status of your refund from 24 hours after you e-file, or four weeks after you mail your return. The system is updated each day, usually overnight. You can also call the IRS TeleTax System at 1-800- 829-4477 to check the status of your refund over the phone.

Why are refunds taking so long 2021?

Some returns are taking longer because of corrections needed that are related to the earned-income tax credit and the pandemic-related stimulus payments (officially termed a “Recovery Rebate Credit”).

Why is my refund taking longer than 21 days 2022?

Things that can delay a refund:

The return has a claim filed for an earned income tax credit, additional child tax credit, or includes a Form 8379, Injured Spouse AllocationPDF. The time it takes a taxpayer's bank or credit union to post the refund to the taxpayer's account.

How do I know if the IRS received my tax return by mail 2021?

Why I still haven't received my taxes?

If you haven't received your tax refund after at least 21 days of filing online or six weeks of mailing your paper return, go to a local IRS office or call the federal agency (check out our list of IRS phone numbers that could get you help faster). But that won't fast-track your refund, according to the IRS.

Why is my tax return still being processed after a month?

It always takes longer for the IRS to process paper returns – especially now. “If you file a paper return, it's going to go in that backlog file,” says Lauridsen. It can take even longer if there are errors or inconsistencies on the paper return.

Why is my tax return still being processed after 2 months?

Some of the reasons are: you claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit and/or an Additional Child Tax Credit (if you claim either of these credits, the PATH Act requires processing to be delayed), you filed Form 8379 (Injured Spouse Allocation), you have a refund offset, the IRS found errors, inconsistencies, or missing ...

Is the IRS backlogged 2022?

Continued personnel shortages and a growing backlog of some returns significantly impeded the IRS's performance during the 2022 income tax filing season that ended last month, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) reported in a preliminary audit.

Why are refunds being delayed 2022?

There are still many people in the United States who are awaiting their tax refund, but the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have admitted that the delays are down to worker shortages and a backlog of returns that have not yet been processed.

Why are my taxes still processing 2021?

"Tax returns are opened and processed in the order received. As the return is processed, whether it was filed electronically or on paper, it may be delayed because it has a mistake including errors concerning the Recovery Rebate Credit, missing information, or suspected identity theft or fraud," said the IRS.

How long does it take for taxes to be approved 2021?

The IRS issues more than 9 out of 10 refunds in less than 21 days. Get your tax refund up to 5 days early: When it's time to file, have your tax refund direct deposited with Credit Karma Money™, and you could receive your funds up to 5 days early.