The messaging you describe is perfectly normal for the
IRS. There's absolutely no reason to necessarily think that you're
under
review or that something is wrong with the processing of your tax return (absent clear information to the contrary) so please don't worry. The messages and bars on the
IRS.gov's "Where's My Refund"
webpage change all of the
time; and sometimes the same message is displayed continuously. If it
still says "processing" or "received" then that's actually a good thing. If your tax
return ever is chosen for further review, or an actual audit (which is a somewhat rare event), then the
website should indicate that, and also let you know to expect an IRS
notice or letter by mail. You haven't observed any message like that,
have you?
Taxpayers
who do have their returns held for review, or who expect to receive an
IRS notice, tell us that such a message appears clearly on the Where's My Refund
website. The behavior that you observe is more
likely an indicator that your tax return is simply moving through the
processing system. It could also be that the IRS is checking for
additional information on something related to your tax return (like
matching your reported W-2 data with that separately reported to the IRS
by your employer); but we
wouldn't call that a review . . . perhaps only a small delay.
If
enough time passes after filing (21 days after e-file, or 6 weeks after
paper file), and there is no new information, at that time the IRS
indicates that you can call them for additional information, using the
phone number provided on their Where's My Refund website.
For
now, the best course of action is patience. The IRS doesn't always
move as fast as taxpayers would like (especially when waiting for a
refund). This year is especially slow, because the IRS is charged with
implementing several new tax laws and executive directives, including the 2015
PATH Act.
Thank you for asking this question, and please know that you are not alone. Literally millions of people are waiting for tax refunds at this time of year.
