As of December 9, 2023, the IRS had 686,000 unprocessed 1040 forms, 844,000 unprocessed 1040-X forms, 44,000 unprocessed 941 forms, and 1,057,000 unprocessed 941-X forms.
Individual Tax Returns (Form 1040)
The IRS is currently processing individual tax returns for which refunds are due first. Tax returns reflecting tax owed are processed last, but if a payment is mailed with the tax return, the payment is separated upon receipt and deposited to ensure the taxpayer account is credited for the payment.
The IRS continues to process tax returns that need to be manually reviewed due to errors in the order received.
As the return is processed, whether filed electronically or on paper, it may be delayed due to:
- Mistakes
- Missing information
- Suspicious activity referred by banks
If the IRS can fix it without contacting you, they will. If they need more information or need you to verify you sent the tax return, they’ll send you a letter. The resolution of these issues could take more than 120 days depending on how quickly and accurately you respond, and how quickly the IRS can complete the processing of your return.
What you should do: In most instances, no further action is needed. The IRS will contact you by mail if they need more information or if they made a change to your return. If you filed electronically and received an acknowledgment, you don’t need to take any further action other than promptly responding to any requests for information.
However, if you are due a refund, filed on paper more than six months ago, and Where’s My Refund? does not indicate the IRS received your return, you should resubmit your tax return, electronically if possible. Make sure it includes an original signature, and include all documents submitted with the original return.
Amended Tax Returns (Form 1040-X)
As of May 13, 2023, the IRS had 1.43 million unprocessed amended tax returns filed on Form 1040-X. These returns are being processed in the order received, and the current timeframe can be more than 20 weeks.
The IRS asks tax pros and taxpayers not to file the same return more than once. It advises checking where’s my amended return? for the most up-to-date processing status available.
Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Returns (Form 941)
As of May 18, 2023, the IRS had 2.1 million unprocessed employers’ quarterly federal tax returns – Form 941. If the taxpayer filed electronically and received an acknowledgment, they do not need to take any further action other than promptly responding to any requests for information.
These tax returns are processed in the order received. Again, the IRS advises not to file a second tax return.
Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Return – Amended (Form 941-X)
As of May 17, 2023, the IRS’s total inventory of unprocessed Forms 941-X was approximately 879,000, some of which cannot be processed until the related 941s are processed.
While not all of these returns involve a COVID-19 credit, the inventory is being worked at two sites (Cincinnati and Ogden) that have trained staff to work possible COVID-19 credits.
Expect to wait longer.
The IRS says it is working to process these returns as quickly as possible but alerts taxpayers that they should be prepared to wait longer than usual for their refunds or for their amended returns to be processed.
The IRS is Still Overwhelmed: Millions of Unprocessed Tax Returns, Owes Taxpayers Refunds, and More!
FAQ
What is the backlog of unprocessed returns for the IRS?
Is the IRS understaffed 2024?
How fast is the IRS processing tax returns 2024?
Is the IRS still processing tax returns?
How many unprocessed tax returns are there?
IRS still has millions of tax unprocessed returns; timeline, According to a new report, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is still processing millions of unprocessed tax returns. As of May 13, 2023, the IRS had 4.2 million unprocessed individual returns.
How many unprocessed tax returns are there in 2023?
According to a new report, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is still processing millions of unprocessed tax returns. As of May 13, 2023, the IRS had 4.2 million unprocessed individual returns. Of these, 2 million returns require error correction or other special handling, and 2.2 million are paper returns waiting to be reviewed and processed.
How many tax returns have not been processed?
Millions of tax returns have not been processed as the I.R.S. tries to clear its backlog. The agency started the tax season with more than eight million unfinished returns from the previous year.
How many amended tax returns are still unprocessed?
Another 2.7 million amended tax returns have not been processed. This backlog represents a fourfold increase from 2019 — the most recent year before the coronavirus pandemic — when the IRS closed its filing season with 7.4 million unprocessed returns, according to the report.