IRS Operations During the 2025 Government Shutdown

If you filed an extension for your 2024 taxes, you might be worried about how the recent federal government shutdown could affect your tax return or refund. Although a shutdown may seem concerning, the good news is the IRS is still operating normally, at least for now. That means taxpayers who filed for an extension still need to submit their tax returns by Oct. 15, just like any other year.

Let’s go over how a government shutdown impacts the IRS and what taxpayers can expect.

What happens to the IRS during a government shutdown?

When a federal government shutdown occurs, most federal agencies are required to pause nonessential operations until Congress passes a continuing resolution or spending bill to restore government funding.

However, the Internal Revenue Service specifically operates under a contingency plan that allows essential operations to continue temporarily (for at least the first five business days) thanks to supplemental funding from the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

If Congress does not pass a spending bill or a continuing resolution within the five-day timeframe, disruptions may occur. But even if that happens and IRS operations begin to scale down, that doesn’t change the tax law — you still need to file and pay taxes as usual to avoid penalties.

What this means for you

The IRS is continuing normal operations for at least the first five business days of the government shutdown.
Tax returns for individuals, businesses, and tax-exempt organizations are still being processed.
Most e-filed returns will continue to be processed as normal.
The tax deadline is still Oct. 15, 2025, for individuals who filed a tax year 2024 extension to file.
Tax refunds will continue to be issued (just make sure to choose direct deposit if possible, to avoid delays).
Interest and penalties will continue to accrue on unpaid taxes during the shutdown.

What could be affected

While the IRS operations continue under the contingency plan, some areas may experience delays, particularly if the shutdown lasts longer than five business days:

Paper tax returns and correspondence may take longer to process, especially if IRS employees are furloughed.
Certain taxpayer services (like live phone support) may be unavailable or have reduced hours or staffing that result in longer wait times.
Some tax-exempt organization applications could be delayed until the shutdown ends.
Responses to audit inquiries could be delayed.

These impacts are generally temporary and should resolve once government funding is restored.

What if I owe taxes?

If you filed an extension earlier this year, you still have until Oct. 15 to file your tax return. Here’s how to stay on track:

File electronically (you can e-file with TaxAct®) to ensure your return is processed faster. This is especially important during a government shutdown.
Use direct deposit to avoid delays in receiving your tax refund.
Double-check everything (including deductions and tax credits) before submitting.
If you owe income tax, pay by the tax deadline to avoid penalties.

Even if some IRS employees are later furloughed, most digital systems continue to operate automatically, allowing taxpayers to still submit, amend, or pay their tax returns. TaxAct can help you with all of these!

Contacting the IRS during a shutdown

If you need to reach the IRS during a government shutdown, keep in mind that response times may be longer than usual. Here’s what to know:

The IRS phone lines may have limited availability and long wait times.
Online tools like Where’s My Refund?, transcript access, and the IRS Online Account remain available.
Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TACs) may not be available or may operate on reduced schedules, depending on staffing and local IRS operations.
If you received an IRS notice, make sure to still follow the instructions carefully, even if you expect a delay in response.

What this means for the regular 2025 filing season

The IRS currently expects no immediate impact on the 2025 filing season, but that could change if the federal government shutdown continues for a prolonged period. If that happens, the IRS will provide updated guidance to taxpayers and tax professionals.

Meanwhile, members of Congress, including both Democrats and Republicans, are continuing negotiations to restore government funding for the current fiscal year. If there are any important updates, we will add them to this page.

FAQs

Are my taxes still due?

Yes. The tax deadline remains Oct. 15 for anyone who filed an extension for tax year 2024, including individual income tax returns and expat returns. Tax-exempt organizations with extensions to file are still due Nov. 17, 2025.

Will the shutdown delay my tax return or refund?

Most e-filed returns are processed as usual, and tax refunds are still being issued through direct deposit. However, paper returns and any necessary manual verifications could take longer.

To ensure you get your refund as quickly as possible, file electronically (TaxAct can help), select direct deposit for your refund, and double-check your banking information before submitting your return.

What if I mailed my return?

If you mailed a paper tax return, it may take longer to process. But as long as it’s postmarked by the Oct. 15 deadline, it’s considered filed on time, even if processing is delayed.

Can I delay filing my return because of the shutdown?

No. Unfortunately, a government shutdown does not extend the tax deadline. Taxpayers should still file and pay any balance due by the due date to avoid owing penalties or interest.

What if I need to contact the IRS?

Some IRS operations (like phone support and in-person appointments) may be limited, but most online services remain available. If your matter is urgent, try to handle it online when possible.

Will I still get my Social Security check?

Yes! Social Security and Medicare payments are considered essential services and will continue even during a federal government shutdown.

Are audits and enforcement still happening?

Only for high-priority cases. Most audit and enforcement activities pause during a shutdown and will resume once funding is restored.

What happens when the shutdown ends?

Once Congress passes a spending bill or continuing resolution, all IRS operations return to full capacity. Any delayed taxpayer services will resume as normal.

The bottom line

A federal government shutdown can feel unsettling, but it’s still important to file your taxes on time. The tax deadline for individuals with extensions is still Oct. 15. If you haven’t filed yet, don’t wait until the last minute — submitting your tax return early can help you avoid any potential processing slowdowns and keep your tax refund on schedule.

This article is for informational purposes only and not legal or financial advice.

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IRS Operations During the 2025 Government Shutdown: What It Means for Your Taxes