As a new tax season approaches, the IRS continues dealing with delays due to COVID-19. According to an update on the IRS website, that includes processing millions of unopened tax returns. Refunds due will be sent in 2021 by paper check. To taxpayers expecting responses by mail, the IRS stated: “While we are opening mail within our normal timeframe, processing these responses is taking longer than usual due to social distancing and resource restrictions.” Tax payments that were mailed to the IRS but haven’t yet been cashed may be in the backlog and will be processed as mail is opened. Meanwhile, the IRS urges taxpayers not to cancel checks, as that may result in penalties.
