IRS faces 35M unprocessed tax returns as backlog swells, watchdog says

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4 thoughts on “IRS faces 35M unprocessed tax returns as backlog swells, watchdog says

  1. I’m a CPA and part of my practice is tax preparation services. This year has been terrible – new laws not incorporated into tax software prior to filing season, clients waiting for months to get a refund for the simplest of returns, etc. Registered tax preparers have a special hotline that used to be answered after 2-3 rings, no wait time. Now, they won’t even let me wait on hold. I actually don’t blame the employees. The pandemic has wreaked havoc on their workload, and they couldn’t do much WFH since their computer systems are not very modern so laptops from home can’t log into the system. And forget about anything sent via US Mail (other than payments). They have a backlog of 6-9 months just opening those envelopes.

  2. OUCH. Thanks, Randy…I think.

    (Mailed in a 2020 print return March 15 and haven’t heard a word, and we are owned a $1,400-odd refund. UGH.)

  3. Filed mine electronically on March 9, awaiting refund. Status online is “processing” and has been every time I’ve checked for the past 8 weeks. Phone calls to the IRS number get directed to voice mailbox saying “We’re sorry. Due to volume of calls, we are unable to handle your problem. Please call later or on another day”. I tried everyday for a week and finally gave up in frustration. Planning on applying my refund to next year’s bill.

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