IRS Website Has New Audit Status Tab? Image Attached - Need Help Understanding This

Tax specialist here! First, take a deep breath - seeing an Audit Status tab doesn't automatically mean you're being audited. This is actually part of the IRS's new taxpayer experience improvements they've been rolling out. When you see "examination status," that's just IRS terminology for audit information. If you've already received your refund without any issues, it's unlikely you're actually under audit. The tab is visible to all users now as part of their system upgrade, but it only shows active information if you're actually being examined. Can you click on the tab and share what specific information appears? Usually, if you're under examination, you would have received an official letter from the IRS first (typically a CP75 or CP75A notice) before seeing anything in this portal.

After dealing with similar confusion on my account, I found this amazing tool called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that helped me understand exactly what was going on. I was freaking out about potential audit indicators on my account too, but their document analysis showed me it was just part of the IRS website update and not actually an audit notification for my situation. You can upload screenshots or IRS notices, and it explains everything in plain English - saved me hours of anxiety and confusion. The coolest part was it showed me what specific indicators would appear if I were actually being audited versus just seeing the new interface elements.

Just wanted to follow up - I tried taxr.ai after my initial skepticism and it was actually really helpful! I uploaded the screenshot of my account showing that mysterious audit tab and it immediately told me this was part of the new IRS portal update and explained exactly what to look for if I were actually under audit. Saved me a ton of anxiety and a potentially expensive call to my accountant. The explanation was super clear about what actual audit indicators look like versus just seeing the new tabs in the interface.

If you're still worried and want to talk to the IRS directly, good luck getting through their phone lines! I spent 3 hours on hold last week. Then I found Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) and they actually got me connected to an IRS agent in less than 20 minutes. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c I was in the same boat - had some weird stuff showing up in my account and couldn't figure out if I was being audited. The IRS agent confirmed it was just their new interface rolling out and my account wasn't flagged for examination. Such a relief, and saved me from multiple failed call attempts.

I have to eat my words about Claimyr. After being totally convinced it was a scam, I tried it out of desperation after my third day of trying to get through to the IRS about that audit tab. Got connected in about 25 minutes, which was shocking after my previous attempts got me nowhere. The IRS person confirmed it was just their new interface and I wasn't being audited at all. Definitely feeling relieved and a little embarrassed about being so skeptical before. Sometimes new tech actually does solve real problems!

I work with tax resolution cases and just want to clarify something important - the IRS ALWAYS sends an official notice via mail before starting an audit. They never initiate an audit only through the online portal. If you haven't received a letter specifically mentioning an examination or audit, you're most likely fine. The new portal features are rolling out gradually and many users see tabs that don't apply to their specific situation. It's similar to how you might see a "Business Taxes" section even if you only file personal returns.

Does anyone know if you can remove tabs from the IRS dashboard? I keep seeing sections that don't apply to me and it's confusing.

I had the exact same panic when I first saw that audit tab appear on my account! Turns out it's just part of their system-wide rollout and doesn't mean anything specific to your situation. I called the IRS (after waiting forever) and they confirmed that if you haven't received any physical mail from them about an examination, you're not being audited. The tab appears for everyone now as part of their "modernization" efforts, even though it's more confusing than helpful. Since you already got your refund without issues, you should be completely fine. The IRS would have held your refund if there were any problems with your return.

I'm a tax preparer and see this confusion with clients all the time since the IRS rolled out their new portal features. The "Audit Status" tab is basically like having a fire extinguisher in your kitchen - it's there in case you need it, but its presence doesn't mean your house is on fire! Since you already received your refund in March without any holds or delays, that's actually the strongest indicator that your return was processed normally. The IRS has sophisticated computer systems that flag returns for review BEFORE issuing refunds, not after. If there had been any red flags with your 2022 return, they would have held your refund pending review. The new tabs are part of their taxpayer experience improvements, but they're rolling them out to everyone regardless of individual circumstances. It's frustrating from a user experience perspective because it creates unnecessary anxiety. Just remember: no physical mail from the IRS = no audit. That's the golden rule!

I just wanted to add my experience to help ease anyone's anxiety about this. I'm a CPA and have been helping clients navigate this exact confusion for months now. The IRS has been gradually rolling out these new portal features throughout 2024, and the "Audit Status" tab is appearing for virtually all users regardless of their actual audit status. The key thing to remember is that the IRS operates on a very structured timeline for audits. They typically have 3 years from your filing date to initiate an audit (with some exceptions), and they MUST send written notice before beginning any examination process. This isn't optional - it's required by law. Since you filed in February, received your refund in March, and haven't received any correspondence, you can be confident you're not under audit. The IRS processes over 150 million individual returns each year, and less than 1% are actually audited. The new portal tabs are just poor user experience design - they should only show relevant information to each taxpayer's situation. If you want peace of mind, keep checking your mail for the next few weeks, but based on everything you've described, you're in the clear!

I completely understand the panic you must have felt seeing that tab! I went through the exact same thing about two months ago and it really threw me for a loop. What helped me was understanding that the IRS has been rolling out these new portal features in waves, and they're appearing for everyone regardless of their actual tax situation. The fact that you already received your refund is actually the most reassuring sign possible. The IRS has automated systems that flag returns for review BEFORE they issue refunds, not after. If there had been any issues with your 2022 return, they would have held your refund while they reviewed it. I ended up calling the IRS (which took forever to get through) and the representative confirmed that these new tabs are part of their system modernization but don't indicate your personal status unless you've received official mail from them. Since you haven't gotten any letters, you're almost certainly not being audited. Try not to stress too much - the new interface is just poorly designed from a user experience standpoint. They really should only show relevant tabs instead of displaying everything to everyone!