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.

Why would IRS contact me by mail?

The IRS usually (though not always) contacts taxpayers by first sending a letter — called a notice — through the U.S. Postal Service. Here are a few of the many reasons you might get a notice from the IRS. You have an outstanding tax balance. Your refund won’t be as big as you expected.

How can I tell if my tax return was mailed to the IRS?

If you did use a tracking service from the post office when you mailed the federal tax return, there is no way to verify that the return was received by the IRS. There is no IRS phone to call to verify that the return was received.

When do you get a notice from the IRS?

“These notices impose unnecessary stress on taxpayers who, upon receipt, must contact the IRS for assistance,” Neal said. The IRS is aware of the backlog and will process mailed payments as of the day they were received, rather than the date they were processed, according to an Aug. 13 notice from the agency.

Why do I get a letter from the IRS?

The IRS sends notices and letters for the following reasons: You have a balance due. You are due a larger or smaller refund. We have a question about your tax return. We need to verify your identity. We need additional information. We changed your return. We need to notify you of delays in processing your return.

How can I view my most recent tax return?

After logging in, the user can view: Key information from their most recent tax return as originally filed A taxpayer can monitor their personal tax account by keeping track of payments and taxes owed. This online information is the same as what’s provided by IRS representatives.