How far behind is the IRS in processing 2019 tax returns?

Asked by: Roma Brown  |  Last update: December 26, 2022
Score: 4.6/5 (29 votes)

Correspondence Processing Delays
Through May 21, the IRS processed 5million taxpayer responses to proposed adjustments. It took an average of 251 days to do so – more than eight months. That is more than triple the processing time of 74 days in fiscal year 2019, the most recent pre-pandemic year.

Is the IRS still processing 2019 tax returns?

We're open and processing mail, tax returns, payments, refunds and correspondence. However, COVID-19 continues to cause delays in some of our services. Our service delays include: Live phone support.

How backlogged is the IRS right now?

The IRS is making progress on its backlog of unprocessed tax returns, but millions remain, the agency said Tuesday. As of June 10, there were 11 million pending individual returns, including filings received before 2022 and new 2021 returns, according to the IRS.

Why is my 2019 tax return still processing?

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.

Is the IRS behind on tax returns?

The report expresses concern about continuing delays in the processing of paper-filed tax returns and the consequent impact on taxpayer refunds. At the end of May, the agency had a backlog of 21.3 million unprocessed paper tax returns, an increase of 1.3 million over the same time last year.

IRS Still Processing Millions Of 2019 Tax Returns

20 related questions found

Why is it taking my tax return so long to process?

What's Taking So Long? If you don't receive your refund in 21 days, your tax return might need further review. This may happen if your return was incomplete or incorrect. The IRS may send you instructions through the mail if it needs additional information in order to process your return.

Why is the IRS so far behind on refunds?

Pandemic challenges

The Covid-19 pandemic created new challenges for the agency and brought on additional work, resulting in backlogs of returns in both 2021 and 2022.

How far behind are tax refunds?

In general, the IRS issues refunds within a few weeks to a month. Paper returns take longer than electronically filed returns, even if there are no mistakes or issues. Before the pandemic, someone who filed a return by paper might wait four to six weeks for a refund.

Is the IRS caught up yet?

But despite the progress, IRS officials admit returns are piling up for this year's tax filing season. The IRS started this year with 8 million unprocessed original returns from last year. Typically the agency starts the filing season without original returns to process, a Treasury official said.

How do I know if the IRS received my 2019 tax return?

Find out if Your Tax Return Was Submitted
  1. Using the IRS Where's My Refund tool.
  2. Viewing your IRS account information.
  3. Calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 (Wait times to speak to a representative may be long.)
  4. Looking for emails or status updates from your e-filing website or software.

Is the IRS catching up on backlog?

Millions of 2021 taxpayer returns filed with the Internal Revenue Service have yet to be completed, and the agency is facing a larger-than-normal backlog at this point in the tax season, the Treasury Department said on Tuesday.

How far is the IRS behind on paper returns?

Americans who file paper forms tend to have an average wait of about six months, and these returns often provide thousands of dollars in refunds to low-income workers that can be critical for supplementing their incomes.

Why is my refund still processing after 3 months?

Your refund may be delayed if you made math errors or if you forgot to sign your return or include your Social Security number. It may also be delayed if your dependents' information doesn't match IRS records, or if you left out a corresponding schedule or form to support a deduction or credit, says Pickering.

Are tax refunds taking longer this year?

Taxpayers face "unprecedented" delays getting their refunds, IRS watchdog says. The Internal Revenue Service is facing an even bigger backlog for this tax season than it did a year ago, with delays creating "unprecedented financial difficulties" for taxpayers, according to a report released Wednesday.

Why is my refund 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 ...

What does it mean when the IRS says your tax return has been received and is being processed?

This means the IRS has your tax return and is processing it. Your personalized refund date will be available as soon as the IRS finishes processing your return and confirms that your refund has been approved. Most refunds are issued in less than 21 days.

What does IRS mean by your tax return is still being processed a refund date will be provided when available?

If your tax return status is "Still Being Processed" your tax return could be essentially on hold until the IRS corrects any issues and/or gets the additional information from you to continue processing your return.

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

There are many different reasons why your refund may have not been processed yet, but the most common include: Your tax return included errors. Your tax return is incomplete. This could mean that all of the necessary forms were not sent to the IRS for processing.

How long will my refund say processing?

The IRS issues more than 9 out of 10 refunds in less than 21 days. However, it's possible your tax return may require additional review and take longer.

Why is my refund taking longer than 21 days 2022?

It is also taking the IRS more than 21 days to issue refunds for some tax returns that require review including incorrect Recovery Rebate Credit amounts, or that used 2019 income to figure the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC).

How long does your tax return stay in processing?

The IRS issues more than 9 out of 10 refunds in less than 21 days. However, it's possible your tax return may require additional review and take longer.

Is the IRS processing paper returns now?

The Internal Revenue Service has essentially been unable to process the paper 1040 returns that individuals filed in 2022 until it's finished processing the pile up of paperwork filed in 2021.

Why is my refund still processing after 3 months?

Your refund may be delayed if you made math errors or if you forgot to sign your return or include your Social Security number. It may also be delayed if your dependents' information doesn't match IRS records, or if you left out a corresponding schedule or form to support a deduction or credit, says Pickering.