“Where’s My Refund” Funny

Maybe it’s my quirky sense of humor but I find it funny that they IRS has posted an alert on its website telling taxpayers to please limit use of the “Where’s My Refund” Tool.  First Tax season was delayed until January 30th so taxpayers had to wait longer to file their return and now taxpayers have to wait 21 days to get their refund.   Last year my clients were getting refunds in 10-15 days, but the IRS says the 21 days for this year is the same as last year and they are the authority on it so I must be wrong.    I am sure it seems longer to taxpayers so of course they are going to start checking the “Where’s My Refund” tool on the IRS website. We are about 16 days out from opening day and taxpayers are anxious.  This time last year their refund was in the bank, not so this year they need to wait a little longer.  Some are worried that the government can’t pay its bills so taxpayers have begun to check the tool every day sometimes multiple times a day.  The IRS only updates the tool once a day so the answer is the same every time you check.  So, there really is no sense in trying it every 15 minutes, it is not going to make your refund suddenly appear, so relax.  Check it once a day and have a little faith the IRS knows what it is talking about!