IRS Limiting Services During Shutdown As Budget Cuts Staff
The IRS is limiting services during the government shutdown, the tax agency has announced. Congress has yet to approve a budget for the new fiscal year. This is causing hundreds of government offices to furlough many or most of their employees, or even shut their doors entirely. In the case of the IRS, the agency has sent home nearly half of its 74,000 employees.
How is IRS Limiting Services During Shutdown?
The IRS is suspending most in-person services during the government shutdown. That includes closing the Taxpayer Assistance Centers, and cancelling all previously scheduled appointments. As well, the US Tax Court is shuttered, and the National Taxpayer Advocate office is severely limited in its ability to help taxpayers facing financial hardships or struggling with procedure.
Live telephone assistance is also limited, with callers facing substantially longer wait times or, at times, no service at all.
What’s Still Available While IRS Limiting Services During Shutdown?
Most 1040 filers with straightforward returns can still file electronically and expect a fairly timely refund if they use direct deposit. The IRS will likely take much longer to process more complicated returns. The agency is still accepting (and expecting) payments. Despite the shutdown, taxpayers still must file their returns in a timely manner.
How Does This Affect the Future?
No one knows how long the government shutdown will last. Many experts expect it to be lengthy. However long it takes to resolve, taxpayers may feel the effects well into 2026. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed earlier this year brought a number of changes to the tax code. As a result, the IRS needs to update its software, train its staff and prepare its systems. The number of missing employees will likely make this process much more difficult, leading to delays and problems as the next filing season begins.
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The IRS released some official information on how it is dealing with the shutdown.
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