IRS Releases Refund-Tracking App

American taxpayers finally have a quick way to check the status of their tax returns from the comfort of their phones,

The IRS announced it is launching IRS2Go, a free app available for Apple and Android devices. By inputting their social security numbers, taxpayers can check up on the statuses of their returns via a encrypted connection.

Updated statuses for online filers will appear three days after the IRS confirms they were received. Paper filers, who last year made up only thirty percent of the total, will have to wait a bit longer. The IRS estimates it would take three to four weeks before the status of paper filing would be available.

The App also features links to the IRS's Twitter page, as well as a form allowing users to sign up for the IRS's daily tax tips.

With the release of IRS2Go the IRS is the latest of a number of government agencies offering smartphone applications. The TSA, FBI, and the Department of Energy have all released applications for mobile devices.

This new smart phone app reflects our commitment to modernizing the agency and engaging taxpayers where they want when they want it, said IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman. As technology evolves and younger taxpayers get their information in new ways, we will keep innovating to make it easy for all taxpayers to access helpful information.