Sounds like you caught him in a lie and he is paddling fast to keep ahead of the wake ... if he did efile the return the you should have a form 9325 showing the date of transmission but the WMR? system will only give you 2017 info not 2016 info ... and the prior year return can take up to 12 weeks to process ... to check on where you are in the system you can contact the IRS ...
Call the IRS: 1-800-829-1040 hours 7 AM - 7 PM local time Monday-Friday
When calling the IRS do NOT choose the first option re: "Refund", or it will send you to an automated phone line.
So after first choosing your language, then do NOT choose Option 1 (refund info). Choose option 2 for "personal income tax" instead.
Then press 1 for "form, tax history, or payment".
Then press 3 "for all other questions."
Then press 2 "for all other questions."
There will be a brief pause. When it asks you to enter your SSN or EIN to access your account information, don't enter anything. After it asks twice, you will get another menu. Press 2 for personal or individual tax questions.
It will then put you in the queue for a live agent, and tell you the estimated wait time.
