IRS Says Tax Refund Payments Will Be Limited by Shutdown

Tax refund payments, IRS phone assistance, and appointments with the agency’s appeals office will all be hampered as the government shutdown trudges into its fourth week.

The IRS in an online update Tuesday said that taxpayers who file individual returns electronically without errors will still receive their refund, but everyone else will face delays. This comes after the IRS furloughed nearly half of its agency the week of Oct. 8, keeping on almost 40,000 workers critical to its operations.

The stalemate to reopen the government has reached day 21 with little sign from lawmakers for a compromise. It hits the IRS as it prepares for filing season and works to implement President Donald Trump’s multitrillion tax and spending law.

It will be harder to reach the IRS. The agency said it now has limited live telephone customer service assistance and will generally not be responding to paper correspondence.

Taxpayers’ and tax professionals’ appointments with the agency’s Independent Office of Appeals and Taxpayer Advocate Service are canceled.

The IRS cautions that the all tax deadlines will remain in effect and that taxpayers should pay their taxes as normal.