I am blocking myself from checking the IRS website and the IRS2GO app. As one of those with a 1/29 filer date and 2/12 accepted date, I have found myself obsessively checking for any update on my Federal return. My state returns came within two weeks. My WMR status bar disappeared and has been replaced with the same ambiguous statement since the 21st day. TurboTax offers no help. And calling the IRS requires staying on the phone indefinitely, only to be told the same unhelpful statements the website repeats.

Then to hear other people who filed later than I get their return in a matter of days, that is infuriating.

The IRS has some of the worst infrastructure of any governmental agency. My university spent upwards of $250 million to replace the old, antiquated computer system with a totally new system, and I am sure there are Americans who wouldn’t mind some of their taxes going to the IRS so reaching out to the IRS wouldn’t be such a horrible experience. If their old, dusty system suddenly and catastrophically collapse, there seems to be no back-up plan or safeguards in place. That’s a scary thought.

Thankfully, I don’t NEED the money immediately. I will need it eventually. But at the rate this is going, I doubt I will see it any time soon.

So, I’m not going to check anymore. I can’t deal with the disappointment and frustration. One day hopefully I will wake up to a surprise in my bank account or mailbox. Until then, I hope everyone gets their money ASAP!