We frequently receive questions from users about the IRS\u2019s Where\u2019s My Refund? tool. This tool, which offers status updates on a taxpayer\u2019s refund, can be extremely helpful but it can also lead to some unneeded anxiety when used too frequently. The tool says it\u2019s only updated once a day and each time it changes may be cause for celebration, because you\u2019re one step closer to your refund. However, following it too closely can add undue stress as demonstrated in the following hypothetical journey of a tax filer\u2026<\/p>\n
Tuesday<\/strong><\/p>\n Yes!! I finally finished my taxes. Thank goodness \u2013 that\u2019s been weighing on my mind for weeks now. One huge checkmark, and it\u2019s off my to-do list. Phew! So, hmmm, let\u2019s see \u2013 it looks like after 24 hours, I can check the IRS website to make sure it\u2019s been received and everything\u2019s OK. Sound good, I\u2019ll have to remember to do that tomorrow.<\/p>\n Wednesday<\/strong><\/p>\n Hey, I almost forgot \u2013 I\u2019d better go check that status tracker. Awesome! Looks like they accepted it, no issue there. Good. Wow, this is a great tool, I\u2019ll have to keep checking back to see when my refund will be arriving\u2026<\/p>\n Friday<\/strong><\/p>\n Hmm, no change yet on the tracker. Wonder if everything\u2019s ok. Surely it is; it just hasn\u2019t been long enough yet.<\/p>\n Tuesday<\/strong><\/p>\n OK, now I\u2019m starting to worry. Really, IRS? Nothing yet? I filed a whole week ago \u2013 shouldn\u2019t there be some movement on this tracker at this point?<\/p>\n Wednesday AM<\/strong><\/p>\n Nothing. This is so weird. Should I call the IRS? Maybe I did something wrong\u2026maybe I forgot something?<\/p>\n Wednesday PM<\/strong><\/p>\n OK, I can\u2019t take it anymore. I\u2019m calling them.<\/p>\n 45 minutes on hold? Never mind.<\/p>\n Thursday<\/strong><\/p>\n FINALLY! Yes!!!!! My refund has been approved!! It\u2019s due to be deposited soon \u2013 yippee!!! I can go get those shoes I\u2019ve been eyeing, pay off some bills, maybe put some into savings\u2026\u00a0 You know what? I\u2019m going to treat myself to a fancy dinner \u2013 a night on the town! Let me call my friends \u2013 let\u2019s schedule it for the day after my refund gets here! Whoo-hoo!!!<\/p>\n Friday<\/strong><\/p>\n What. This can\u2019t be right. It changed \u2013 again? They\u2019re reviewing my return now? Didn\u2019t they already review it before? Why would they tell me I was getting a refund, and then take it back like that? What does this mean?<\/p>\n Oh my gosh, am I in trouble? Did I do something wrong by accident? I was allowed to deduct those work expenses, wasn\u2019t I? I still have the receipts\u2026.or do I? Where are they? Oh my gosh, what if I have to go through an audit?! This is a nightmare, I\u2019m probably going to jail! I\u2019d better call my mom \u2013 maybe she knows a good lawyer\u2026<\/p>\n Saturday <\/strong><\/p>\n I am going to binge watch Orange is the New Black to prepare myself. This is it \u2013 I\u2019m done for. Goodbye, future. I\u2019ll be in jail, after the IRS guys in suits come take me away for some dumb mistake I didn\u2019t even realize I was making\u2026<\/p>\n Monday<\/strong><\/p>\n Wait, what?! It\u2019s back on? The refund is approved after all? It\u2019s headed my way again? Oh thank goodness, what a relief!! But wait \u2013 I\u2019m not going to trust it now \u2013 it may switch back, who knows? I\u2019m not opening my blinds till I get that refund in the bank, just in case\u2026. Ack! There goes someone in a suit outside\u2026OK, phew, he didn\u2019t stop.<\/p>\n Tuesday<\/strong><\/p>\n OK, still good.<\/p>\n Wednesday<\/strong><\/p>\n Still there, good.<\/p>\n Thursday 8 AM<\/strong><\/p>\n OK.<\/p>\n Thursday 9 AM<\/strong><\/p>\n I\u2019m not worried.<\/p>\n Thursday 10 AM<\/strong><\/p>\n Looking good.<\/p>\n Thursday 11 AM<\/strong><\/p>\n OK, OK, stop it.<\/p>\n 21 Days After Filing<\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s here!!!\u00a0 It\u2019s finally here!! I\u2019m not getting audited, I\u2019m not going to jail \u2013 I\u2019m going to dinner! What was I worried about? So silly of me \u2013 of course I didn\u2019t do anything wrong. See ya, IRS tracker!<\/p>\n