Been 5 weeks since I sent in my amended return and the IRS shows it still hasn't received it?

5 weeks is not very long.  Even In normal times it takes up to 16 weeks or more to process an Amended 1040X return.  But these are not normal times.

Sorry the IRS has limited staff due to Covid-19.  They just started opening the mail in June that's been stacking up. Back in March the IRS closed their processing centers and stopped processing mailed tax returns.  An IRS spokesperson said that they have about 11 million pieces of unopened mail.  The IRS says....."We’re experiencing delays in processing paper tax returns due to limited staffing. If you already filed a paper return, we will process it in the order we received it."  So it may take longer if you mailed in June or later.   So you have to keep waiting.

See this IRS page for the latest information

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-operations-during-covid-19-mission-critical-functions-continue

Then once they start opening the mail, After 3 weeks you can track it here,    

https://www.irs.gov/filing/individuals/amended-returns-form-1040-x-/wheres-my-amended-return-1

Wait.....did your tax preparer file an amended return?  Then you should have checked back with him or her and not filed another one.   But read my post again.  You might be waiting for a long time.  And if 2 amended returns were filed that may confuse the IRS and mess it all up.  

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@trieun87 wrote:

Hi, I filed my amend 2 month on October and it still not showing up in the IRS system? Anyone still having the same issue?

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READ the answers on this thread.  Your question has been answered multiple times.

@waiting12

   The IRS has not been working on mailed returns until fairly recently---and an amended return could only be filed by mailing it in until late August 2020 when the IRS began to accept e-filed 2019 amended returns.   Under normal circumstances you would be able to see something about your mailed in Form 1040X after about three weeks, but that is not the case right now.  The usual 4 months for processing an amended return is going to take longer.  Sorry.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/20/politics/irs-mail-trailers-covid/index.html

MAILED RETURNS

Per the IRS website IRS Operations During COVID-19: Mission-critical functions continue:  

IRS operational status and alternatives

Processing Delays for Paper Tax Returns: Taxpayers should file electronically through their tax preparer, tax software provider, or IRS Free File. 

We’re experiencing delays in processing paper tax returns due to limited staffing. If you already filed a paper return, we will process it in the order we received it.

Do not file a second tax return or contact the IRS about the status of your return.

 If you mail a tax return (or a payment) to the IRS, it is a good idea to use a mailing service that will track it like UPS or certified mail so you will know it was received.

 TurboTax will not know anything about your amended return, and nor will TT know that you put your 1040X  in an envelope and took it to a mailbox.  TurboTax does not get updates on mailed  (or e-filed) returns.

When the IRS finally opens its mail and begins to process mailed returns you can check the status on the IRS site.

https://www.irs.gov/Filing/Individuals/Amended-Returns-(Form-1040-X)/Wheres-My-Amended-Return-1

https://www.irs.gov/filing/individuals/amended-returns-form-1040-x/amended-return-frequently-asked-q...

@gilbertlopez19 Five weeks?   it is taking the IRS about six months to process amended returns.

 The IRS has not been working on mailed returns until fairly recently---and an amended return could only be filed by mailing it in until late August 2020 when the IRS began to accept e-filed 2019 amended returns.   Under normal circumstances you would be able to see something about your mailed in Form 1040X after about three weeks, but that is not the case right now.  The usual 4 months for processing an amended return is going to take longer.  Sorry.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/20/politics/irs-mail-trailers-covid/index.html

MAILED RETURNS

Per the IRS website IRS Operations During COVID-19: Mission-critical functions continue:  

IRS operational status and alternatives

Processing Delays for Paper Tax Returns: Taxpayers should file electronically through their tax preparer, tax software provider, or IRS Free File. 

We’re experiencing delays in processing paper tax returns due to limited staffing. If you already filed a paper return, we will process it in the order we received it.

Do not file a second tax return or contact the IRS about the status of your return.

 If you mail a tax return (or a payment) to the IRS, it is a good idea to use a mailing service that will track it like UPS or certified mail so you will know it was received.

 TurboTax will not know anything about your amended return, and nor will TT know that you put your 1040X  in an envelope and took it to a mailbox.  TurboTax does not get updates on mailed  (or e-filed) returns.

When the IRS finally opens its mail and begins to process mailed returns you can check the status on the IRS site.

https://www.irs.gov/Filing/Individuals/Amended-Returns-(Form-1040-X)/Wheres-My-Amended-Return-1

https://www.irs.gov/filing/individuals/amended-returns-form-1040-x/amended-return-frequently-asked-q...

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@Maleigha90 wrote:

I been trying to talk to someone about my amendable return from 2018. I was told it was complete but I never received my return and I haven’t been able to talk to the person over my case or anyone at all. 

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Call the IRS: 1-800-829-1040 hours 7 AM - 7 PM local time Monday-Friday
When calling the IRS do NOT choose the first option re: "Refund", or it will send you to an automated phone line.
So after first choosing your language, then do NOT choose Option 1 (refund info). Choose option 2 for "personal income tax" instead.
Then press 1 for "form, tax history, or payment".
Then press 3 "for all other questions."
Then press 2 "for all other questions."
- When it asks you to enter your SSN or EIN to access your account information, don't enter anything.
- After it asks twice, you will get another menu.

Press 2 for personal or individual tax questions.
Then press 4 for all other inquiries
It should then transfer you to an agent.

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@ TsCintron31 wrote:

Its been a total of 9 months since amend return. I have not received my money and the status still hasn't changed to tell me its coming. Get this I called Turbo and the money we spend only helps with Audits. Well then your not worth the 190. Realistically every penny counts and its my money and I want it. The lady gonna say keep calling and meanwhile you can't reach anyone from the IRS. Then she says due to the PANDEMIC they aren't answering calls. Well I could careless they have enough money and yet I am trying to track my money. We are all Dollar Signs and this Dollar sign wants HER MONEY ALMOST A YEAR WAITING GTFOH

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There have been extremely long delays at the IRS in processing paper returns from the last several months due to the Coronavirus.   I'll tell you the normal way to reach an IRS agent, but it may be very difficult due to the Pandemic, and since so many people are calling them about their stimulus money, etc.  So if that's unsuccessful, I've also left below steps to reach the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service so you can enlist their aid.   They may also be able to transfer you to an IRS agent.

IRS:  800-829-1040 (7AM-7 PM local time) Monday-Friday

When calling the IRS do not choose the first choice re: "Refund", or it will send you to an automated phone line.

• First choose your language.  Then listen to each menu before making the selection.
• Then press 2 for "personal income tax".
• Then press 1 for "form, tax history, or payment".  
• Then press 3 "for all other questions."
• Then press 2 "for all other questions." 
• It may then ask for your SSN, but do not enter it.  Just wait.    If it asks for SSN a second time, still do not enter it.
• Then it will get "tired", and you'll get another menu.  Choose 2 for "personal".
• Then in the next menu choose 4 for "all other inquiries", and it should transfer you to an agent but expect a long wait.
• I usually use a speakerphone so I can work on something else while waiting.

If you continue to have no luck reaching the IRS, you can try contacting the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service for your area.    They are especially prone to help if you have an economic hardship, or if there have been continued delays with lack of info from the IRS.    At the following IRS website, find the USA map and click on your state, and it will give you the number of your IRS Taxpayer Advocate.    If the Taxpayer Advocate can't/won't help you, ask them to transfer you to an an IRS agent.  A couple of users reported that at least for them, that was a backdoor route to the IRS.

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Contact-a-Local-Taxpayer-Advocate

Also see this article for more info on how the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service works::
http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc104.html

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@Charlesskelton wrote:

It’s been 12 weeks since the certified mail indicated they received it, but still not showing up as received. Forget trying to contact the IRS I’ve tried several times. I feel like they just threw it away. Not sure what I’m gonna do in the next four weeks when it will officially be the 16th week and they’ve yet to acknowledge receipt of letter. 

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Due to Coronavirus, the IRS is way behind on processing paper returns.  For several months last spring and summer they didn't process any paper returns at all, and they stacked up in bins and trucks.   Some users who mailed 2019 returns or amended returns last spring and summer are just now getting results; i.e., months later.   The IRS says it is processing all mail in the order it was received.   So unless things change quickly with the situation at the IRS, it will likely take more than 16 weeks to process yours.

If you want to speak to one, see my answer above in this same thread on how to reach a live agent at the IRS, although it is more difficult due to the Pandemic, all the stimulus calls, etc.    That same answer also provided the steps to reach the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service for your area.   If the Taxpayer Advocate can't help you, ask them to transfer you to an IRS agent.  Some users have said that was a backdoor way for them.

I sent my 2018 amended return about mid September 2020 and it just showed up in the system 2-3 weeks ago (mid March 2021). It still has not been processed. 

I have stuff that rolls over to my next years tax returns so I need this to be processed to file my 2019 and 2020 returns.  🤦🏻‍♀️

you're still good and in the beginning stages....   It's been 14 months and 9 days since the IRS confirmed they've received mine... and still nothing... other then "we've received but not processed blah blah blah blah"