COVID-19 Mail Processing Delays It’s taking us longer to process mailed documents: Paper tax returns, and All tax return related correspondence. It is taking the IRS more than 21 days to issue refunds for some 2020 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). Using a Mobile Device? Download the IRS2Go app to check your refund status. What You Will Need fa-check Social security number or ITIN fa-check Your filing status fa-check Your exact refund amount Check My Refund Status fa-clock-o 24 hours after e-filing fa-calendar Expect extended delays if you mailed your return or responded to an IRS Notice fa-moon-o We update Where's My Refund daily, usually overnight Refunds Topics Refund Timing Refunds Information Refunds FAQs Direct Deposit Amended Returns Should You Call the IRS? Expect delays if you mailed a paper return, had to respond to an IRS inquiry about your e-filed return, claimed an incorrect Recovery Rebate Credit amount or used 2019 income to claim the EITC or ACTC. Otherwise, you should only call if it has been: 21 days or more since you e-filed "Where's My Refund" tells you to contact the IRS Do not file a second tax return. Paycheck Checkup: you can use the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator to help make sure your withholding is right for 2021. Some tax returns take longer to process than others for many reasons, including when a return: Includes errors such as an incorrect Recovery Rebate Credit amount Is incomplete Is affected by identity theft or fraud Includes a claim filed for an Earned Income Tax Credit or an Additional Child Tax Credit using 2019 income. Includes a Form 8379, Injured Spouse Allocation PDF, which could take up to 14 weeks to process Needs further review in general For the latest information on IRS refund processing during the COVID-19 pandemic, see the IRS Operations Status page. We will contact you by mail when (or if) we need more information to process your return.
