Why can’t I see a date that lets me know my return is on the way ?

I assume you are asking about your refund, not your return. Your tax return is the form you send to the government that shows your income and calculates your tax. The money the government sends back to you is your refund.

You can't see a date because it's impossible to predict exactly when you will get your refund. The IRS says that they pay 9 out of 10 refunds within three weeks. Yours could be the one out of 10 that takes longer. There are many variables that can affect how long it takes to process your tax return and issue your refund. Go to the following link on the IRS web site for more information about factors that can affect when you get your refund, and a link to check the status of your refund.

Tax Season Refund Frequently Asked Questions