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LETTER: 11 Million Tax Return Backlog Threatens Americans’ 2020 Tax Filings

February 18, 2021 — Blog    — Coronavirus Bulletin    — Press Releases   

Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee Members Call on IRS Commissioner to Provide Plan to Address Unprocessed Returns

American taxpayers could be harmed during the 2020 tax filing season because of a backlog of approximately 11 million unprocessed 2019 tax returns without action by the IRS, according to a letter to IRS Commissioner Rettig from all five Republican Members of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight. The letter, which can be viewed here, asks the IRS for a plan on how it will resolve this backlog.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a number of serious challenges for the IRS, continuing into this year’s tax filing season, which opened on February 12. To help deal with these challenges, taxpayers are advised:

  • To get your tax refund in a timely way, file your tax returns as soon as possible, and if possible, electronically.
  • Taxpayers who never received an economic impact payment or received an incorrect amount, can claim those payments on this year’s tax returns.

Ways and Means Republicans will continue to work with the IRS to provide the services taxpayers need with the speed they deserve.