IRS Update: The Government Shutdown and Your Taxes

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  • Published Oct 2, 2013 - [Updated Aug 23, 2019]
  • 2 min read

The government shutdown that took place on October 1 left everyone with questions about how the shutdown will impact them.

If you are one of the taxpayers that filed an extension, you may be wondering if the shutdown impacts filing your taxes.

Don’t worry.  We have you covered and have answers to your burning questions:

Should I still file my extended tax return in light of the shutdown?

Yes, you still need to file your tax return by the October 15th extended deadline.  E-filing your return is the fastest way to have your tax return processed.  Returns filed by mail will not be processed until after the shutdown is over.  Acknowledgements will be issued by the IRS for e-filed accepted tax returns.

You said paper filed returns will not be processed, but I have to mail mine.  Will it be considered timely filed?

Yes, although paper tax returns will not be processed until after the shut down is over, the postal service will still post mark your paper filed return.  Any tax return postmarked by the due date will be considered filed on time by the IRS.

Will the IRS shutdown exclude me from late filing penalties if I don’t file by October 15?

No, the IRS still requires that you file your tax return by the extended deadline.

I owe money on my 2012 taxes, what should I do?

You should submit the balance owed electronically when you e-file your taxes.  Payments received will still be posted to your account.

If you have a previous balance due, you should submit the payment as you normally do.

Will the government shutdown affect my tax refund?

If you e-file your tax return, the IRS will still process your tax return as it normally would.  If you are due a tax refund, it will be issued when the shutdown is over.

Can I still check the status of my tax refund?

If your tax return was processed before the shutdown, you can use “IRS Where’s My Refund?” to check the status of your tax refund.  If you e-filed your tax return after the shutdown your e-filed tax return will be processed, however you will not be able to check the status of your refund until after the shutdown is over.

I need to contact the IRS, but I can’t get through, what should I do?

During the government shut down, IRS agents will not be there to take your call.  At TurboTax we have you covered and are up to date with the latest tax laws.  Our tax experts are available to answer your questions.

For more information please view the IRS Announcement.

Lisa Greene-Lewis
Lisa Greene-Lewis

Written by Lisa Greene-Lewis

Lisa has over 20 years of experience in tax preparation. Her success is attributed to being able to interpret tax laws and help clients better understand them. She has held positions as a public auditor, controller, and operations manager. Lisa has appeared on the Steve Harvey Show, the Ellen Show, and major news broadcast to break down tax laws and help taxpayers understand what tax laws mean to them. For Lisa, getting timely and accurate information out to taxpayers to help them keep more of their money is paramount. More from Lisa Greene-Lewis

Follow Lisa Greene-Lewis on Twitter.

116 responses to “IRS Update: The Government Shutdown and Your Taxes”

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  1. Hey im Corey and I was in the bracket of ‘Identity theft’ I’ve done everything that I was told to do by an Irs rep, but I still haven’t received anything is it because of the government shut down. Just curious.

    Reply

  3. I missed the October 15 deadline…I know I cannot efile…but can I use TurboTax to prepare..print and mail to IRS…HELP!!

    Reply

  4. I have an installment agreement with the IRS and it’s deducted from my bank account automatically. During the shutdown, they didn’t draft my payment. What should I do?

    Reply

  5. IRS processed my return sept 30 2013 and the website says I will get a refund in 3 weeks. My question is will I still get my refund since it was before shutdown. Thanks

    Reply

  6. I need to apply for a payment plan and my taxes are due today but I can’t get a hold of anyone and the online automated system is not working. I can’t afford to pay the entire amount. Any advice?

    Reply

  7. Hi Lisa,
    I filed my taxes electronically and requested my refund through direct deposit. Will I still get a timely refund or will I have to wait until this godawful shutdown is over?
    Thanks,
    Ray j.

    Reply

  10. I tried to to file at 10:57pm Pacific Standard time and I got an error message… It is now 11:07am in LA and I still can’t file… Please help! thanks

    ——— ERROR MESSAGE:

    E-filing is Closed for the Season
    Hi there, and thanks for visiting. E-filing in TurboTax is closed as of October 15, 2013, so we can get ready for the upcoming tax season.

    If you need to get your return filed, you can print and file by mail.

    Reply
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