You are not alone — millions of Americans are still waiting to get their checks from the IRS. “Here it’s April 9 and I still do not have my taxes,” Monica Florence said.

What to do if your tax return has not been processed?

If you already have filed via paper but it has not yet been processed, do not file a second tax return or write to the IRS to inquire about the status of your return or your Economic Impact Payment. Paper returns will be processed once processing centers are able to reopen.

How can I find out if my tax refund is delayed?

If your tax refund hasn’t arrived yet, you can use the IRS Where’s My Refund tracker to see if your money is delayed. The IRS is expecting some delays in processing returns and issuing refunds this year. You’ve got your income tax return filed with the IRS and now you’re waiting for your tax refund to arrive.

Is the IRS still processing paper tax returns?

As noted above, IRS processing for paper returns has come virtually to a stop because of the current situation. Unfortunately, we at TurboTax have no inside information about the status of paper-filed returns. You will need to contact the IRS, if and when they get enough staff back to the office to answer the phones.

What happens if you don’t file your taxes by the due date?

If your return wasn’t filed by the due date (including extensions of time to file): You may be subject to the failure-to-file penalty, unless you have reasonable cause for your failure to file timely.

What to do if you haven’t filed your tax return?

If you haven’t filed your federal income tax return for this year or for previous years, you should file your return as soon as possible regardless of your reason for not filing the required return. If you need help, check our website. We have tools and resources available, such as the Interactive Tax Assistant (ITA) and FAQs.

Is the IRS holding 29 million tax returns?

May 6, 2021 / 6:49 AM / MoneyWatch The IRS is holding 29 million tax returns for manual processing, delaying tax refunds for many Americans, according to the National Taxpayer Advocate, an independent arm of the tax agency that looks out for consumers’ interest.

How long does it take to get a tax refund from the IRS?

How Long It Takes the IRS to Process a Tax Refund. Typically, the IRS issues a refund within 21 days of “accepting” a tax return. If you file electronically, the IRS can take up to three days to accept your return. If you mail in your return, it can take three additional weeks (the IRS has to manually enter your return into the system first).

What happens if you file a fake tax return?

If the IRS suspects that someone has attempted to steal your identity (by filing a fake return), this could hold up your return. You would then have to wait until the IRS completes any investigating and until it can ensure that you are who you say you are.

What happens if someone tries to steal your tax refund?

If the IRS suspects that someone has attempted to steal your identity (by filing a fake return), this could hold up your return. You would then have to wait until the IRS completes any investigating and until it can ensure that you are who you say you are. The IRS may also convert your refund from a direct deposit to a paper check.

When did Florence file for her tax return?

Florence says she filed her return February 11. “It’s been a struggle because I am actually doing dental assisting school and I was going to use that money to pay for my school. So now I am borrowing the money until I get my taxes, if I ever get my taxes,” she said.

Why is the IRS shut down at this time?

She says the IRS is struggling. She says it shut down just like the rest of the country for the coronavirus, and still may not be back at full strength. Plus, she says Congress changed tax laws after the tax season had already begun. Millions of Americans have no information about when their federal tax refunds could arrive.

When does the IRS catch up with you?

So if an employee doesn’t file or misrepresents his earnings, the IRS can spot the discrepancy. Tax evasion can catch up with you if you take out a mortgage for a house (since tax statements are usually necessary) or if you take a government job, like, say, treasury secretary (since the IRS automatically audits all incoming employees).