Even with parts of the federal government temporarily shut down, the IRS wants taxpayers to know one thing loud and clear: regular tax filing and payment deadlines remain in place.
In a statement released by the IRS, the agency confirmed that it’s operating under a “lapse in appropriations,” meaning many day-to-day functions are paused or scaled back, but legal obligations to file and pay taxes remain in effect.
Here’s the quick version:
In other words, the IRS may be short-staffed, but it’s still open for business where it counts and expects taxpayers to meet their deadlines.
Despite limited operations, the IRS confirmed that all regular tax deadlines remain in effect. That includes:
If you’re filing or paying late, penalties and interest still apply as usual. The IRS emphasized that there is no automatic extension simply because of the shutdown.
So, even though you may not be able to get someone on the phone or visit a TAC in person, your tax deadlines haven’t budged an inch.
For tax professionals, this moment highlights the importance of automation and electronic processes. With reduced staffing and slow paper handling at the IRS, e-filing and digital recordkeeping are more critical than ever. Tax professionals should also expect extremely long wait lines on the Practitioner Priority Service (PPS) line and should seek to minimize IRS phone calls.
Refunds for electronically filed returns with direct deposit may still be processed normally but paper returns and correspondence could experience significant backlogs. If you have clients waiting on responses or paper-filed refund checks, manage their expectations accordingly.
IRS offices that handle examinations, appeals, and taxpayer advocacy are also largely paused, so any pending cases or responses may be delayed until funding is restored.
Here are a few proactive steps for you and your clients:
– Keep filing and paying on time. Even if the IRS is short-staffed, legal obligations haven’t paused.
– File electronically whenever possible. E-filing and direct deposit minimize disruptions.
– Avoid paper if you can. Mailed returns, payments, and correspondence will sit in a queue.
– Use online tools rather than phone calls. With the IRS phone lines short-staffed, tax professionals should leverage online tools and tax transcripts as much as possible.
– Track everything. Keep confirmation receipts, payment records, and proof of timely filing.
– Stay alert for updates. The IRS will post status changes as funding is restored and operations resume.
The IRS may be partially offline, but tax compliance isn’t. Filing and payment deadlines remain in full effect, even while service centers, phone lines, and paper processing are on pause.
At TaxNow, we’ll keep monitoring IRS updates and flag any changes to filing deadlines, refund processing, or transcript access as soon as they’re announced.
Reference: IRS Statement on Operations Limited During the Lapse in Appropriations (irs.gov)
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