10/13/2021
As of October 2, 2021, the IRS still had 6.8 million unprocessed individual returns. These include tax year 2020 returns with errors as well as returns requiring special handling, such as corrections to Recovery Rebate Credit (RRC) amounts or validation of 2019 income figures that were used to figure Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC).
The number of individual returns requiring special handling as of October 2 was 224,000, down from from the historical high of 9.8 million on May 1, 2021. It's taking more than 21 days to issue refunds for those returns, and in some cases, it could take 90 to 120 days.
You should keep checking the IRS' Where’s My Refund? tool for your personalized refund status, or you can view your online account. If you filed on paper and Where’s my refund? tells you that the IRS received your return, is processing it or reviewing it, that means that they are processing your return, but it may be under review. Be sure to respond promptly and accurately to any letters the IRS sends you requesting more information or needing you to verify that it was you who sent the return. Don't file a second return or contact the IRS about the status of it. You can also review the IRS page Tax Season Refund Frequently Asked Questions.
There were 2.8 million unprocessed amended individual tax returns (1040-X) as of October 2, 2021. The timeframe for those can currently be more than 20 weeks. You can check the IRS Where's My Amended Return? tool for the most up to date processing status available.
If you need to enter your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) from your 2019 return in order to e-file your 2020 tax return and your 2019 return hasn't been processed, you can use $0 for your prior year AGI. If you used the Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here tool to register for an Economic Impact Payment last year, enter $1 for your prior year AGI. See Claiming the Recovery Rebate Credit if you aren’t required to file a tax return.
IRS Operations During COVID-19: Mission-critical functions continue