During tax season in the United States, taxpayers strive to submit their returns as accurately as possible to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

More than 140 million Americans are expected to file tax returns this year, the IRS says. How could impending layoffs at the agency impact processing?

There are three status updates which the taxpayer might see: “received return,” “refund approved,” or “refund sent.” If the refund has been sent, it could be up to 5 days before the money shows up in your bank account or a few weeks before your check has been received.