IRS is open and processing mail, tax returns, payments, refunds and correspondence. However, COVID-19 continues to cause delays in some of their services. IRS service delays include:

• Live phone support
• Processing tax returns filed on paper
• Answering mail from taxpayers
• Reviewing tax returns, even for returns filed electronically

LATEST NOTICE DELAYS — 

Because of the COVID-19 shutdown, IRS experienced a backlog in mailing notices. To save time and money, IRS didn’t generate new ones and many notices were mailed with past due payment or response dates.

IRS included a Notice 1052, Important! You Have More Time to Make Your Payment, as an insert. The insert provided new or updated pay or response dates. Due to an error, some notices were sent without the insert.  If you were among those who didn’t get the Notice 1052, you were sent a Letter 544 on August 7, 2020, with the appropriate information.

Please read the insert carefully. It explains why the notice was delayed and provides a new date to pay or respond. If you got the notice, you should:

• Review the last page of the insert to determine if there is a new due date
• Do nothing with the notice if you’ve already taken steps to resolve the issue
• Contact IRS using the phone number on the notice if you have questions. Keep in mind that phone lines are extremely busy as the IRS resumes operations.

IRS is receiving mail, but it’s taking IRS longer to process it.

IRS is processing all responses in the order they received them. While they are opening mail within their normal timeframe, processing these responses is taking longer than usual due to social distancing and resource restrictions. The exact timeframe varies depending on the type of issue. IRS is sending replies to letters and notices across IRS sites where they have more staff and taking other actions to reduce any delays. Once you’ve answered the notice, you don’t need to answer it again. IRS is working through all taxpayer replies on a first-come, first-served basis and they will process your reply as of the date it was received.