IRS Furloughs Nearly Half Its Staff — What It Means for Your Taxes

bryan83977
Oct 9
2 min read

📰 Background

The U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has placed nearly half of its employees on furlough due to a government funding lapse caused by congressional budget disputes. This comes at a critical time as several tax deadlines are approaching — especially for individuals who received an extension to file their 2024 tax returns.

Although the IRS’s electronic filing (e-file) system remains operational, most customer service, phone support, and manual assistance functions are suspended. This means that taxpayers could face delays in getting help, correcting errors, or receiving refunds.

Even if the government shutdown continues, tax payments and filing obligations remain in effect. Those who miss deadlines will still accrue interest and penalties as usual.

Once funding is restored, furloughed IRS employees will return to work and receive back pay under the “Fair Treatment for Federal Employees Act,” but it may take time for the agency to clear the backlog of returns and correspondence.

⚠️ What This Means for You

If you filed for an extension (your new deadline is October 15, 2025), make sure to submit your return and any payments by that date — even if the IRS remains partially shut down. During the shutdown:

Expect delays in processing paper returns, issuing refunds, and resolving disputes.
Phone support and Taxpayer Assistance Centers may be unavailable.
Electronic filing remains the most reliable channel.

💼 How Our Firm Can Help

At Burkin’s Tax & Accounting, Inc., we understand how frustrating IRS delays can be—especially when deadlines, interest, and penalties keep running. During this uncertain period, we’re here to help you stay compliant, minimize risk, and avoid unnecessary stress.

Here’s how our professional team can assist you:

Tax Filing & Representation: We handle your filing and IRS correspondence on your behalf, saving you time and helping you navigate around system disruptions and closed service lines.
Penalty & Interest Planning: Our experts estimate potential penalties or interest accruals, and we help you design the most cost-effective payment plan to minimize financial impact.
IRS Communication & Error Resolution: Even when the IRS is slow to respond, we act as your representative—submitting corrections, tracking updates, and following up through professional channels.

💡 Pro Tips for Taxpayers

Keep all IRS notices, payment records, and filing confirmations in one place.
File electronically whenever possible to reduce delay risk.
Don’t wait until the last week before the October deadline—reach out early to your tax professional.

🏦 Our Message to Clients

The ongoing government funding challenges are beyond anyone’s control—but your tax compliance doesn’t have to wait. With expert guidance and proactive planning, you can stay ahead of deadlines and protect yourself from late fees or IRS backlogs.

At Burkin’s Tax & Accounting, we combine precision, reliability, and responsive service to keep your tax matters on track — even when the IRS isn’t.

📩 Need help filing, paying, or resolving a tax issue? Contact us today to discuss your case and receive personalized guidance.