If gas isn't making it to the fuel pump,then depending on how it's hooked up could be internal tank filters or if it's like Polaris atvs,fuel runs from the tank to the fuel valve then from the valve to the pump then to the carb.Sometimes fuel valves can clog also. Pics sure would help as to the fuel line routing..

 

The routing you mentioned is correct - filter to grommet, to valve where you can switch between a regular fuel 'in' or reserve tank, or shut off the gas, then feeds to the fuel pump then the carb.

So, found this after removing the gas tank cover - the rubber grommets were virtually just hanging on the tank, nothing holding them on there, and when I pulled the grommets out, they both had been ripped and most unfortunately, the inner hoses and filter were not at the end of the grommets - meaning the ends are inside both the regular and reserve tanks. whomever had this before me did not follow the steps in the service manual for removing the grommets. Next step is to remove the fuel tank out and fish those parts from the tank and then reinstall with new grommets. For now, I believe, this is the reason fuel was not making its way to the carb. I am learning a ton - thanks for following along.

Fuel grommets from 1999 Bombardier Traxter 500 - very bad