The IRS reported that processing delays and backlogs are being cleared at a faster rate when compared to last year. While all paper and electronic individual returns received before January 2023 have been processed, certain returns have a processing time of up to 20 weeks or longer.
For those of you waiting for a response from the IRS, and wanting to know what the timeframe is for a response or action, the IRS recommends that you visit their website regarding IRS Operations: Status of Mission-Critical Functions.
The top service delays listed include:
On May 19, 2023, statistics and wait times for tax returns, payments, refunds, and correspondence were updated with some reporting a processing time of up to 20 weeks or longer. Below is a chart of the most recent updates.
| Form Number | Name of Form | Unprocessed Forms | Processing Time | Updated On |
| Form 1040-X | Amended Individual Tax Return | 1.43 million | Up to or more than 20 weeks | 5/13/2023 |
| Form 941 | Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Return | 2.1 million | Processed in the order received | 5/18/2023 |
| Form 941-X | Adjusted Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Return | 879,000 | Not processed until the related 941 is processed | 5/17/2023 |
Other process updates provided earlier this year included Form W-7, Requests for Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN). The IRS reported in April 2023 that Forms W-7, are processed as they are received, and they were working on March applications in April. Be certain to promptly reply when responding to requests about your application.
For anyone who submitted a Form 14039 or an Identity Theft Affidavit, Form 14039-B, expect to wait approximately 430 days to resolve your identity theft case. The increase in identity theft as well as extenuating circumstances caused by the pandemic has increased the number of cases and delays in processing. In January, the IRS began taking steps to reduce the processing time to 120 days or less.
To check on the processing status of your returns, you can check online.
For 2022, 2021 and 2020 tax year returns, visit Where’s My Refund?
You may also track the status with the IRS2Go Mobile App available on Google Play, the App Store and Amazon.
As always, the IRS reminds taxpayers to not file duplicate forms or respond to letters or notices more than once. The processing responses to opening mail is taking longer than usual due to resource restrictions. After a taxpayer responds to a letter or notice, there is no need to respond again. All replies are processed in the order received and your replay is recorded by the date it was received, not the date reviewed.
Should you have questions about this topic, or any other topics related to your personal or business situation, please contact us at any time.
DISCLAIMER: The WM Update, WM Wednesday Wisdom, WM Daily Update, and other related communications are intended to provide general information, as of the date of this communication, and may reference information from reputable sources. Although our firm has made every reasonable effort to ensure that the information provided is accurate, we make no warranties, expressed or implied, on the information provided. As legislative efforts are still ongoing, we expect that there may be additional guidance and clarification from regulators that may modify some of the provisions in this communication. Some of those modifications may be significant. As such, be aware that this is not a comprehensive analysis of the subject matter covered and is not intended to provide specific recommendations to you or your business with respect to the matters addressed.
