What Does the Government Shutdown Mean for Tax Returns?

In what is perhaps an entry for the “of course it is” files…there’s word that the partial government shutdown continuing could delay Americans getting tax refunds. You see, the IRS is one of the departments shut down right now.

As the shutdown continues, the IRS says Americans can still file their 2018 tax returns, but they will not be able to process any refunds until after the shutdown ends. But don’t think that means you’re off the hook for paying your taxes – those will be due as scheduled – April 15th.

The reasoning is simple. For now only 12.5% of the 10,000 IRS employees are working. Once tax-filing season picks up steam later this month, they just may not have the manpower to process returns. If the shutdown ends soon, Americans will probably not notice any delay in getting their refunds. If it drags on into February however, it is likely there will be delays.

SOURCE: WSJ.com