Follow-up: IRS letter indicating ‘We haven’t received your tax return’
Hi Terry
After receiving my 12/20/2021 CP80 notice, I spoke with 3 different IRS agents about the status of my ‘unfiled’ 2020 federal return. The most credible and helpful advice was given by the last agent, who pointed out that IRS processing backlogs vary among processing sites and that I should be patient and NOT submit a copy of my ‘unfiled’ return. Agent #3 also directed me to a notice on the IRS website that corroborated his advice.
Finally, he suggested I open an IRS account, which I did. The process of opening the account and verifying my identity (through id.me) was relatively straightforward. And best of all, the process did NOT require me to un-freeze my credit!!!
Using my IRS account, I verified that all my 2020 payments were correctly and timely credited and that my 2020 1099 and 5498 data are correct. Interesting tidbit: as of today, my 2020 Account Transcript states ‘No tax return filed’, but the same transcript lists my last 2020 payment as ‘Payment with return 3-16-2021’ => written corroboration that IRS did receive my return.
I now log onto my IRS account daily. I will know in ‘almost real time’ when IRS has processed my 2020 return and will then download my Return Transcript to complete my records.
IRS agent #3’s advice was very helpful – worth the time & trouble expended to reach him.
And I encourage anyone in similar straits to open an IRS account.
Thanks again for all the help and encouragement you provide for your friends.
Terry Says
Thanks for writing to tell me how the process worked for you. Isn’t it amazing that one hand (or computer) of the IRS says one thing about your return — and another part of the system doesn’t know that?!
Now, at least you can sleep better — though once your check is cashed, you should sleep better anyway. It’s proof that you sent in your return!
I once visited an IRS processing center for a TV story on the April 15th deadline day. I was astounded at how efficient they were at slitting open the envelopes and removing the checks for deposit that day — while back in the day (this was in the 1080s) it took a week or two to process the actual return. Now it takes them a year!!
I hope others will read and follow your example of opening an IRS account to keep track of at least some of their records!
