alert-icon
Only limited material is available in the selected language. All content is available on the global site.
Wolters Kluwer Navigation
  • Solutions Directory
  • Careers
  • Investors

About Wolters Kluwer

Wolters Kluwer is a global provider of professional information, software solutions, and services for clinicians, nurses, accountants, lawyers, and tax, finance, audit, risk, compliance, and regulatory sectors.

About Us
  • About Wolters Kluwer
  • Strategy
  • Our Organization
  • Management
  • Supervisory Board
  • Value Creation
  • Events
Expert Insights
  • All Expert Insights
  • Health
  • Tax & Accounting
  • ESG
  • Finance
  • Compliance
  • Legal
Get Help
  • Contact Us
  • Login
  • View Solution List
  • eShop & Bookstores
  • Media Center
  • News & Press Releases
  • Solutions Directory
  • Careers
  • Investors
PrimaryNav Button
Wolters Kluwer Logo
Search Wolters Kluwer
    No Suggestion
    WK logo

    Visit our global site, or select a location

    • Americas
    • Europe
    • Asia & Pacific
    Brazil
    Home page:
    • Portuguese
    Canada
    Home page:
    • English
    • French
    Latin America
    Home page:
    • Spanish
    United States
    Home page:
    • English
    Current Page:
    • English
    Belgium
    Home page:
    • Dutch
    • French
    Czech Republic
    Home page:
    • Czech
    Denmark
    Home page:
    • Denmark
    France
    Home page:
    • French
    Germany
    Home page:
    • German
    Hungary
    Home page:
    • Hungarian
    Italy
    Home page:
    • Italian
    Netherlands
    Home page:
    • Dutch
    Norway
    Home page:
    • Norwegian
    Poland
    Home page:
    • Polish
    Portugal
    Home page:
    • Portuguese
    Romania
    Home page:
    • Romanian
    Slovakia
    Home page:
    • Slovak
    Spain
    Home page:
    • Spanish
    Sweden
    Home page:
    • Swedish
    United Kingdom
    Home page:
    • English
    Australia
    Home page:
    • English
    China
    Home page:
    • Simplified Chinese
    Hong Kong
    Home page:
    • English
    India
    Home page:
    • English
    Japan
    Home page:
    • Japanese
    Korea
    Home page:
    • English
    Malaysia
    Home page:
    • English
    New Zealand
    Home page:
    • English
    Philippines
    Home page:
    • English
    Singapore
    Home page:
    • English
    Taiwan
    Home page:
    • English
    Thailand
    Home page:
    • English
    Vietnam
    Home page:
    • English
    Primary Navigation
    • Health

      Trusted clinical technology and evidence-based solutions that drive effective decision-making and outcomes across healthcare. Specialized in clinical effectiveness, learning, research and safety.

      Health Overview
      Solutions
      • UpToDateClinical decision support resource
      • OvidThe world’s most trusted medical research platform
      • LexicompEvidence-based drug referential solutions
      • Sentri7 Clinical SurveillanceTargeting infection prevention, pharmacy and sepsis management
      View All Solutions
      Challenges
      • Optimizing Clinical Workflows
      • Improving Patient Safety
      • Leveraging Clinical Decision Support
      • Reducing Clinical Variation
      View All Challenges
      Expert Insights
      • The next era in pharmacy: Five key insights from the consumer care and cost trends survey
      • Evolving clinical decision support: A guide to discovery-driven transformation in healthcare
      • When it comes to mental health, prioritize wellness for nurses
      • Help your students prepare for NCLEX® with immersive experiences
      View All Expert Insights
    • Tax & Accounting

      Enabling tax and accounting professionals and businesses of all sizes drive productivity, navigate change, and deliver better outcomes. With workflows optimized by technology and guided by deep domain expertise, we help organizations grow, manage, and protect their businesses and their client’s businesses.

      Tax & Accounting Overview
      Solutions
      • Tax & Accounting U.S. HubCentral hub for all U.S. solutions
      • CCH Axcess™ SuiteCloud-based tax preparation and compliance, workflow management and audit solution
      • CCH® ProSystem fx®Integrated tax, accounting and audit, and workflow software tools
      • TaxWise®Tax Preparation Software for Tax Preparers
      View All Solutions
      Expert Insights
      • IRS still has millions of tax unprocessed returns; timeline, what to do, where to check
      • Global Minimum Taxation 101: Exploring the ins, outs, and material impacts of BEPS Pillar Two
      • Disaster tax relief and effects on Individual Retirement Accounts
      • IRS submits report to Congress, plans a 2024 limited Direct File Tax Return Prep pilot
      • 3 steps to developing a successful advisory services model for your accounting firm
      • Tax relief for California victims of storms, winds, flooding, landslides, and mudslides
      • IRA required minimum distribution not satisfied: Penalty and penalty waiver request
      • IRS chief acknowledges audits of black taxpayers may be unfairly high
      View All Expert Insights
    • ESG

      Offering comprehensive tools and expert guidance to companies to help meet regulatory requirements to support sustainability efforts and manage ESG risks efficiently.

      ESG Overview
      Solutions
      • CCH TagetikUnified performance management software
      • OneSumXDiscover our solution for ESG climate risk and regulatory requirements
      • TeamMateSolutions for auditors
      • EnablonSoftware solutions for risk & compliance, engineering & operations, and EHSQ & sustainability
      View All Solutions
      Expert Insights
      • The ultimate buyer’s guide to audit management software
      • Buyer’s guide: Readiness questionnaire
      • A crucial crossroad at railway & transportation risk management – A closer look at identifying hazards
      • The ESG landscape and the challenges facing Internal Audit
      • ESG, public sector, and the role of Internal Audit
      • Perspectives on diversity in a global context
      • New BARC study “The state of ESG & Sustainability Reporting – Challenges, tools and outlook”
      • EMEA Q1 Finance, Risk and Regulatory Update Webinar 2023
      View All Expert Insights
    • Finance

      Our solutions for regulated financial departments and institutions help customers meet their obligations to external regulators. We specialize in unifying and optimizing processes to deliver a real-time and accurate view of your financial position.

      Finance Overview
      Solutions
      • CCH TagetikUnified performance management software
      • OneSumX for Finance, Risk and Regulatory ReportingIntegrated regulatory compliance and reporting solution suite
      • Lien SolutionsMarket leader in UCC filing, searches, and management
      • eOriginaleOriginal securely digitizes the lending process from the close to the secondary market
      View All Solutions
      Expert Insights
      • Enhance your spreadsheets with power & automation
      • Global Minimum Taxation 101: Exploring the ins, outs, and material impacts of BEPS Pillar Two
      • Predictive forecasting within xP&A: Unleash the potential of enterprise plans
      • Communication is the key to change management in the financial industry
      • The hidden costs of financial consolidation
      • 5 Paybacks of automated Financial Close and Consolidation
      • From historical financial management to CCH Tagetik
      • Case Study: The building blocks of financial transformation in 2023
      View All Expert Insights
    • Compliance

      Enabling organizations to ensure adherence with ever-changing regulatory obligations, manage risk, increase efficiency, and produce better business outcomes.

      Compliance Overview
      Solutions
      • OneSumX for Finance, Risk and Regulatory ReportingIntegrated regulatory compliance and reporting solution suite
      • TeamMateSolutions suite for auditors
      • EnablonSoftware solutions for risk & compliance, engineering & operations, and EHSQ & sustainability
      • CT CorporationRegistered agent & business license solutions
      View All Solutions
      Expert Insights
      • Operating a legal department in an economic downturn
      • The effects of inflation on starting a business
      • Buying a small business franchise? Pros and cons of franchising vs. starting a business
      • Choosing the best time to open or close a business
      • Expert discusses preparing for CRA modernization
      • Mortgage lenders believe investment in technology will be key to being able to scale when the market turns: Survey
      • The ultimate buyer’s guide to audit management software
      • Disaster tax relief and effects on Individual Retirement Accounts
      View All Expert Insights
    • Legal

      Serving legal professionals in law firms, General Counsel offices and corporate legal departments with data-driven decision-making tools. We streamline legal and regulatory research, analysis, and workflows to drive value to organizations, ensuring more transparent, just and safe societies.

      Legal Overview
      Solutions
      • Kluwer ArbitrationOnline resource for international arbitration research
      • Enterprise Legal ManagementLegal spend and matter management, AI legal bill review, and analytics solutions
      • LegiswayAll-in-one legal management software for legal departments
      • BizFilings Incorporation services for entrepreneurs
      View All Solutions
      Expert Insights
      • The key questions for measuring your legal team’s technological maturity
      • Buying a small business franchise? Pros and cons of franchising vs. starting a business
      • Common Market Law Review – A journal for all seasons
      • Choosing the best time to open or close a business
      • The inner workings of AI: A guide for lawyers
      • The ESG Ready Lawyer: K&L Gates Partners Sean Jones and Julie Rizzo discuss ESG issues in today’s highly politicized environment and challenges they create for companies across the board
      • Midsize law firms move into a strong position relative to Biglaw
      • What every small business needs to know about the Corporate Transparency Act and Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting
      View All Expert Insights
    1. Back to Home >
    2. Back to Expert Insights >
    3. IRS still has millions of tax unprocessed returns; timeline,...
    IRS Hard Forks
    Tax & AccountingMay 23, 2023

    IRS still has millions of tax unprocessed returns; timeline, what to do, where to check

    By: Mark Friedlich, ESQ., CPA

    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. 

    Returns showing refunds are processed first. 

    The IRS says it's processing individual tax returns for which refunds are due first. Tax returns reflecting tax owed are processed last. 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 they are received. 

    Returns filed on paper, with mistakes, or suspected of fraud can take 120+ days. 

    As the return is processed, whether filed electronically or on paper, it may be delayed because it has a mistake, is missing information, or is flagged because of suspected identity theft or fraud.  

    The IRS will fix the return without contacting the taxpayer if it can. If the IRS needs more information or the taxpayer must verify they sent the tax return, it will send a letter.  

    The resolution of these issues could take more than 120 days, depending on how quickly and accurately the taxpayer responds and how quickly the IRS can complete processing the return.   
    The IRS encourages taxpayers to check tax season refund frequently asked questions. 

    No action is required by the taxpayer unless contacted by the IRS.

    In most instances, no further action is needed by the taxpayer. The IRS will contact the taxpayer by mail if it needs more information or if it made a change to the return. If the taxpayer filed electronically and received an acknowledgment, no additional action is needed other than promptly responding to any requests for information. 

    However, if the taxpayer is due a refund, their return was filed on paper more than six months ago, and where's my refund does not indicate the IRS received the return, taxpayers should resubmit their tax return, electronically if possible. It's important to ensure the return includes an original signature and include all documents submitted with the original return. 

    In all other cases, the agency advises not to file a tax return again. Instead, check Where's My Refund? or view Your Online Account for possible updates. 

    Form 1040-X amended returns. 

    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. 

    Form 941, Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return. 

    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. 

    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.

    Mark Friedlich
    Mark Friedlich, ESQ., CPA
    Vice President of US Affairs for Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting
    Mark Friedlich, a CPA & tax lawyer, is the Vice President of US Affairs for Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting. He is a member of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee’s Chief Tax Counsel’s Advisory Board, advisor to 14 state taxing authorities, and has been a member of the American Bar Association’s Tax Section and AICPA’s Tax Section leadership teams. Prior to joining Wolters Kluwer he was a COO and Principal at PwC.

     

    Explore related topics
    Expert insightsTax newsFederal Tax News and LegislationTax Preparation
    Tax Software Solutions

    In the cloud or on premise, find the solutions you need to supercharge your tax preparation productivity.

     
     
    Professional Tax Software
    Find the right solution for your firm
    CCH Axcess™ Tax
    CCH® ProSystem fx® Tax
    ATX™ Tax Software

    Related insights

    IRS submits report to Congress, plans a 2024 limited Direct File Tax Return Prep pilot
    IRS submits report to Congress, plans a 2024 limited Direct File Tax Return Prep pilot 3 steps to developing a successful advisory services model for your accounting firm IRS chief acknowledges audits of black taxpayers may be unfairly high

    Related Insights

    • Disaster tax relief and effects on Individual Retirement Accounts
      Article
      Compliance
      Tax & Accounting
      May 19, 2023
      Disaster tax relief and effects on Individual Retirement Accounts
      Deadlines apply to performing certain IRA-related actions. In the case of a disaster declaration, of which there have been many thus far in 2023, the IRS will extend certain deadlines, resulting in additional time for many actions to be completed.
      Learn More
    • IRS submits report to Congress, plans a 2024 limited Direct File Tax Return Prep pilot
      Article
      Tax & Accounting
      May 19, 2023
      IRS submits report to Congress, plans a 2024 limited Direct File Tax Return Prep pilot
      The report discusses whether the IRS could offer taxpayers a free and voluntary way to file their taxes, commonly referred to as “Direct File.”
      Learn More
    • 3 steps to developing a successful advisory services model for your accounting firm
      Article
      Tax & Accounting
      May 18, 2023
      3 steps to developing a successful advisory services model for your accounting firm
      Learn how your accounting firm can create and price advisory service packages, communicate with, and transition clients to a new business model.
      Learn More
    • Tax relief for California victims of storms, winds, flooding, landslides, and mudslides
      Article
      Compliance
      Tax & Accounting
      May 16, 2023
      Tax relief for California victims of storms, winds, flooding, landslides, and mudslides
      Due to destruction caused by severe storms, winds, flooding, landslides, and mudslides that occurred in parts of California beginning on Feb. 21, 2023, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced that affected taxpayers will receive tax relief.
      Learn More
    Footer Navigation
    • About Wolters Kluwer
    • Strategy
    • Our Organization
    • Management
    • Supervisory Board
    • Value Creation
    • News & Press Releases
    • Events
    • Solutions Directory
    • Health
    • Tax & Accounting
    • ESG
    • Finance
    • Compliance
    • Legal
    • Expert Insights
    • Careers
    • Investors
    • Sitemap
    • Site Owner
    Follow Wolters Kluwer US
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    Wolters Kluwer Logo

    When you have to be right

    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy & Cookies

    © 2023 Wolters Kluwer N.V. and/or its subsidiaries. All rights reserved.

    Back To Top