31/01/2026
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How will the government shutdown affect the tax season, if it happens?
📌 1. Deadlines Don’t Change
You still must file your tax return by the usual deadline (e.g., April 15 for most taxpayers) and pay any taxes owed on time. The shutdown doesn’t extend deadlines unless separate legislation is passed to do so.
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📌 2. You Can Still File
The IRS continues to accept tax returns, both electronically and by mail, during a shutdown.
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📌 3. Processing and Refunds May Be Delayed
During a shutdown the IRS often has limited staffing, which can slow down processing — especially for paper returns, amended returns, and returns needing extra review.
Refunds can still be issued, particularly for electronically filed, error-free returns with direct deposit, but other refunds may be delayed until staffing returns to normal.
Automated tools (like “Where’s My Refund?”) and many online systems usually remain available, though service may be limited.
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📌 4. Limited Customer Service
Many IRS phone lines, in-person assistance (Taxpayer Assistance Centers), and correspondence responses may be restricted or paused during a shutdown.
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📌 5. Payments Are Still Required
You must still pay any taxes you owe by the deadline — there’s no automatic grace period or penalty waiver due to a shutdown.
