IRS Continues to Work Through Mail Backlog

IRS Continues to Work Through Mail Backlog Consisting of Over 5 Million Unopened Items

The IRS continues to work through its mail backlog, which consists of over 5 million unopened items, according to IRS Commissioner Charles “Chuck” Rettig. Notably, there are an estimated 2.5 million unopened paper income tax returns included within the backlog.

“We are doing everything we can to reduce this backlog, including providing relief for taxpayers who have sent us mail that was unopened for a period of time,” Rettig said during an October 7 House Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on Government Operations hearing. Additionally, the IRS continues to receive approximately 300,000 to 500,000 pieces of mail each week, Rettig noted.

According to Rettig’s written testimony provided to the National Society of Accountants (NSA) by the IRS, some of the following initiatives are taking place:

• For people who had tax refunds affected by IRS closures, it is paying interest on refunds. These payments, which can sometimes show up as a second deposit, average $18 for nearly 14 million taxpayers.
• The IRS is also crediting people in instances where there is unopened mail and they are making a payment. The IRS credits people on the date the mail was received, not the day the IRS processes the payment.

For NSA’s full report, click here.