THIS POST IS INTENDED FOR U.S. CITIZENS AND GREEN CARD HOLDERS (RESIDENT ALIENS) WHO FILED THEIR 2018-2021 TAX RETURNS AND ARE STILL WAITING TO RECEIVE PART OR ALL OF THEIR STIMULUS PAYMENTS/TAX REFUND
Several people are asking why they still have not received their:
– Stimulus Payment (or received only a portion) claimed on their 2020 and 2021 tax returns
– Tax Refund for Tax Years 2018-2021
The simple answer is that the IRS is still heavily backlogged. Please click here or see below for all the details. You do not need to do anything except be (very) patient until your tax return is processed.
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IF YOU FILED A TAX RETURN (updated August 29, 2022)
The IRS is opening mail within normal timeframes and all paper and electronic individual returns received prior to January 2022 have been processed if the return had no errors or did not require further review.
As of August 19, 2022, we had 8.7 million unprocessed individual returns received in calendar year 2022. These include tax year 2021 returns and late filed tax year 2020 and prior returns. Of these, 1.7 million returns require error correction or other special handling, and 7 million are paper returns waiting to be reviewed and processed.
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 more than 120 days. If a correction is made to any Recovery Rebate Credit, Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit claimed on the return, the IRS will send taxpayers an explanation.
Taxpayers are encouraged to continue to check Tax Season Refund Frequently Asked Questions.
How long you may have to wait:
The IRS understands the importance of timely processing of tax returns and refund issuance. We have processed all error free returns received prior to January 2022 and continue to work the returns that need to be manually reviewed due to errors. We are continuing to reroute tax returns and taxpayer correspondence from locations that are behind to locations where more staff is available, and we are taking other actions to minimize any delays. 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 and the Child Tax Credit, is missing information, or there is suspected identity theft or fraud. If we can fix it without contacting you, we will.
If we need more information or need you to verify that it was you who sent the tax return, we will write you a letter. The resolution of these issues could take more than 120 days depending on how quickly and accurately you respond, and the ability of IRS staff trained and working under social distancing requirements to complete the processing of your return.
What you should do:
In most instances, no further action is needed but you may check Where’s My Refund? or you can view your account. If you filed electronically and received an acknowledgement, you do not need to take any further action other than promptly responding to any requests for information.
If you filed on paper, check Where’s My Refund? If it tells you we have received your return or are processing or reviewing it, we are processing your return, but it may be under review. If you filed before January 2022 and Where’s My Refund? does not have any information, your return has been opened but work on it has not begun. We’re working hard to get through the carryover inventory.
Please don’t file a second tax return or contact the IRS about the status of your return.
Status of Processing Form 1040-X, Amended Individual Tax Return:
As of August 20, 2022, we had 1.9 million unprocessed Forms 1040-X. We are processing these returns in the order received and are working hard to get through the inventory. The current timeframe can be more than 20 weeks instead of up to 16. Please don’t file a second tax return or contact the IRS about the status of your amended return.
Taxpayers should continue to check Where’s My Amended Return? for the most up to date processing status available.
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