How does the government shutdown affect tax returns?












5














Has a government shutdown in the past affected tax returns? In terms of refunds, is there anything to be expected differently based on historical precedent?










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    Considering there have been several government shutdowns in the past (not just the recent Obama-era one in memory), and they never stopped collecting taxes because of it before, they aren't likely to change anything this year either - save for the tax code changes passed last year.
    – Zibbobz
    2 hours ago










  • They still expect my payment, guaranteed.
    – AbraCadaver
    1 min ago
















5














Has a government shutdown in the past affected tax returns? In terms of refunds, is there anything to be expected differently based on historical precedent?










share|improve this question




















  • 1




    Considering there have been several government shutdowns in the past (not just the recent Obama-era one in memory), and they never stopped collecting taxes because of it before, they aren't likely to change anything this year either - save for the tax code changes passed last year.
    – Zibbobz
    2 hours ago










  • They still expect my payment, guaranteed.
    – AbraCadaver
    1 min ago














5












5








5







Has a government shutdown in the past affected tax returns? In terms of refunds, is there anything to be expected differently based on historical precedent?










share|improve this question















Has a government shutdown in the past affected tax returns? In terms of refunds, is there anything to be expected differently based on historical precedent?







united-states irs income-tax-refund government history






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edited 1 hour ago









Pete B.

48.8k12103153




48.8k12103153










asked 2 hours ago









Paul SweattePaul Sweatte

329112




329112








  • 1




    Considering there have been several government shutdowns in the past (not just the recent Obama-era one in memory), and they never stopped collecting taxes because of it before, they aren't likely to change anything this year either - save for the tax code changes passed last year.
    – Zibbobz
    2 hours ago










  • They still expect my payment, guaranteed.
    – AbraCadaver
    1 min ago














  • 1




    Considering there have been several government shutdowns in the past (not just the recent Obama-era one in memory), and they never stopped collecting taxes because of it before, they aren't likely to change anything this year either - save for the tax code changes passed last year.
    – Zibbobz
    2 hours ago










  • They still expect my payment, guaranteed.
    – AbraCadaver
    1 min ago








1




1




Considering there have been several government shutdowns in the past (not just the recent Obama-era one in memory), and they never stopped collecting taxes because of it before, they aren't likely to change anything this year either - save for the tax code changes passed last year.
– Zibbobz
2 hours ago




Considering there have been several government shutdowns in the past (not just the recent Obama-era one in memory), and they never stopped collecting taxes because of it before, they aren't likely to change anything this year either - save for the tax code changes passed last year.
– Zibbobz
2 hours ago












They still expect my payment, guaranteed.
– AbraCadaver
1 min ago




They still expect my payment, guaranteed.
– AbraCadaver
1 min ago










2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes


















4














The bottom line is that no one knows, and it is dependent upon your particular situation. This is pure speculation, but I think that most people will not be affected. Given that W-2s are employer generated, and most people's tax filings and refunds are automated, they should get their refund on time.



In some respects, the IRS is still working, I got some correspondence that was generated during the shutdown, asking for further information about a past tax return. (2016) If that is the case, then the IRS is still functioning on some level.



Will the checks be delayed because of funding? Maybe. If you read any article on this subject, it is clear the intent is to scare the reader. No one knows exactly how this will play out.



This is one part of actionable intelligence in all of this. That is to reduce your withholding so that you receive a smaller refund or even owe some. Your goal is to be plus or minus 1,000. If you owed a small amount, say like $300, you would pay it and this shutdown you affect you even less.






share|improve this answer

















  • 2




    +1 The vast majority of media reporting on this subject is politically motivated and cannot be trusted, on both sides.
    – Ben Miller
    2 hours ago






  • 1




    @BenMiller understand what you said, and why is an important revelation. Media outlets are motivated by one thing: effective advertising. Getting people emotional enables this so that is their only purpose. Truthful reporting on important stories is not a priority.
    – Pete B.
    1 hour ago



















4














During the partial shutdown of the US Federal government, the IRS will continue to collect tax and process income tax returns, but refunds will not be paid. There have been numerous articles written on this subject - I am linking to one here. Google will give you many more.



MarketWatch -
3 unfortunate ways the government shutdown will impact you



[Edited to provide additional information]



An article from the Journal of Accountancy gives some good additional information regarding exactly what functions the IRS will and will not be performing during the shutdown, as spelled out in the Lapsed Appropriations Contingency Plan that was filed. Among the non-exempted activities (that will cease during the shutdown) are:




  • Issuing refunds; Processing Form 1040X amended returns

  • All audit functions and examinations of returns

  • Processing paper tax returns that do include remittances

  • Taxpayer services, such as answering taxpayer questions






share|improve this answer























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    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

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    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

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    votes






    active

    oldest

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    4














    The bottom line is that no one knows, and it is dependent upon your particular situation. This is pure speculation, but I think that most people will not be affected. Given that W-2s are employer generated, and most people's tax filings and refunds are automated, they should get their refund on time.



    In some respects, the IRS is still working, I got some correspondence that was generated during the shutdown, asking for further information about a past tax return. (2016) If that is the case, then the IRS is still functioning on some level.



    Will the checks be delayed because of funding? Maybe. If you read any article on this subject, it is clear the intent is to scare the reader. No one knows exactly how this will play out.



    This is one part of actionable intelligence in all of this. That is to reduce your withholding so that you receive a smaller refund or even owe some. Your goal is to be plus or minus 1,000. If you owed a small amount, say like $300, you would pay it and this shutdown you affect you even less.






    share|improve this answer

















    • 2




      +1 The vast majority of media reporting on this subject is politically motivated and cannot be trusted, on both sides.
      – Ben Miller
      2 hours ago






    • 1




      @BenMiller understand what you said, and why is an important revelation. Media outlets are motivated by one thing: effective advertising. Getting people emotional enables this so that is their only purpose. Truthful reporting on important stories is not a priority.
      – Pete B.
      1 hour ago
















    4














    The bottom line is that no one knows, and it is dependent upon your particular situation. This is pure speculation, but I think that most people will not be affected. Given that W-2s are employer generated, and most people's tax filings and refunds are automated, they should get their refund on time.



    In some respects, the IRS is still working, I got some correspondence that was generated during the shutdown, asking for further information about a past tax return. (2016) If that is the case, then the IRS is still functioning on some level.



    Will the checks be delayed because of funding? Maybe. If you read any article on this subject, it is clear the intent is to scare the reader. No one knows exactly how this will play out.



    This is one part of actionable intelligence in all of this. That is to reduce your withholding so that you receive a smaller refund or even owe some. Your goal is to be plus or minus 1,000. If you owed a small amount, say like $300, you would pay it and this shutdown you affect you even less.






    share|improve this answer

















    • 2




      +1 The vast majority of media reporting on this subject is politically motivated and cannot be trusted, on both sides.
      – Ben Miller
      2 hours ago






    • 1




      @BenMiller understand what you said, and why is an important revelation. Media outlets are motivated by one thing: effective advertising. Getting people emotional enables this so that is their only purpose. Truthful reporting on important stories is not a priority.
      – Pete B.
      1 hour ago














    4












    4








    4






    The bottom line is that no one knows, and it is dependent upon your particular situation. This is pure speculation, but I think that most people will not be affected. Given that W-2s are employer generated, and most people's tax filings and refunds are automated, they should get their refund on time.



    In some respects, the IRS is still working, I got some correspondence that was generated during the shutdown, asking for further information about a past tax return. (2016) If that is the case, then the IRS is still functioning on some level.



    Will the checks be delayed because of funding? Maybe. If you read any article on this subject, it is clear the intent is to scare the reader. No one knows exactly how this will play out.



    This is one part of actionable intelligence in all of this. That is to reduce your withholding so that you receive a smaller refund or even owe some. Your goal is to be plus or minus 1,000. If you owed a small amount, say like $300, you would pay it and this shutdown you affect you even less.






    share|improve this answer












    The bottom line is that no one knows, and it is dependent upon your particular situation. This is pure speculation, but I think that most people will not be affected. Given that W-2s are employer generated, and most people's tax filings and refunds are automated, they should get their refund on time.



    In some respects, the IRS is still working, I got some correspondence that was generated during the shutdown, asking for further information about a past tax return. (2016) If that is the case, then the IRS is still functioning on some level.



    Will the checks be delayed because of funding? Maybe. If you read any article on this subject, it is clear the intent is to scare the reader. No one knows exactly how this will play out.



    This is one part of actionable intelligence in all of this. That is to reduce your withholding so that you receive a smaller refund or even owe some. Your goal is to be plus or minus 1,000. If you owed a small amount, say like $300, you would pay it and this shutdown you affect you even less.







    share|improve this answer












    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer










    answered 2 hours ago









    Pete B.Pete B.

    48.8k12103153




    48.8k12103153








    • 2




      +1 The vast majority of media reporting on this subject is politically motivated and cannot be trusted, on both sides.
      – Ben Miller
      2 hours ago






    • 1




      @BenMiller understand what you said, and why is an important revelation. Media outlets are motivated by one thing: effective advertising. Getting people emotional enables this so that is their only purpose. Truthful reporting on important stories is not a priority.
      – Pete B.
      1 hour ago














    • 2




      +1 The vast majority of media reporting on this subject is politically motivated and cannot be trusted, on both sides.
      – Ben Miller
      2 hours ago






    • 1




      @BenMiller understand what you said, and why is an important revelation. Media outlets are motivated by one thing: effective advertising. Getting people emotional enables this so that is their only purpose. Truthful reporting on important stories is not a priority.
      – Pete B.
      1 hour ago








    2




    2




    +1 The vast majority of media reporting on this subject is politically motivated and cannot be trusted, on both sides.
    – Ben Miller
    2 hours ago




    +1 The vast majority of media reporting on this subject is politically motivated and cannot be trusted, on both sides.
    – Ben Miller
    2 hours ago




    1




    1




    @BenMiller understand what you said, and why is an important revelation. Media outlets are motivated by one thing: effective advertising. Getting people emotional enables this so that is their only purpose. Truthful reporting on important stories is not a priority.
    – Pete B.
    1 hour ago




    @BenMiller understand what you said, and why is an important revelation. Media outlets are motivated by one thing: effective advertising. Getting people emotional enables this so that is their only purpose. Truthful reporting on important stories is not a priority.
    – Pete B.
    1 hour ago













    4














    During the partial shutdown of the US Federal government, the IRS will continue to collect tax and process income tax returns, but refunds will not be paid. There have been numerous articles written on this subject - I am linking to one here. Google will give you many more.



    MarketWatch -
    3 unfortunate ways the government shutdown will impact you



    [Edited to provide additional information]



    An article from the Journal of Accountancy gives some good additional information regarding exactly what functions the IRS will and will not be performing during the shutdown, as spelled out in the Lapsed Appropriations Contingency Plan that was filed. Among the non-exempted activities (that will cease during the shutdown) are:




    • Issuing refunds; Processing Form 1040X amended returns

    • All audit functions and examinations of returns

    • Processing paper tax returns that do include remittances

    • Taxpayer services, such as answering taxpayer questions






    share|improve this answer




























      4














      During the partial shutdown of the US Federal government, the IRS will continue to collect tax and process income tax returns, but refunds will not be paid. There have been numerous articles written on this subject - I am linking to one here. Google will give you many more.



      MarketWatch -
      3 unfortunate ways the government shutdown will impact you



      [Edited to provide additional information]



      An article from the Journal of Accountancy gives some good additional information regarding exactly what functions the IRS will and will not be performing during the shutdown, as spelled out in the Lapsed Appropriations Contingency Plan that was filed. Among the non-exempted activities (that will cease during the shutdown) are:




      • Issuing refunds; Processing Form 1040X amended returns

      • All audit functions and examinations of returns

      • Processing paper tax returns that do include remittances

      • Taxpayer services, such as answering taxpayer questions






      share|improve this answer


























        4












        4








        4






        During the partial shutdown of the US Federal government, the IRS will continue to collect tax and process income tax returns, but refunds will not be paid. There have been numerous articles written on this subject - I am linking to one here. Google will give you many more.



        MarketWatch -
        3 unfortunate ways the government shutdown will impact you



        [Edited to provide additional information]



        An article from the Journal of Accountancy gives some good additional information regarding exactly what functions the IRS will and will not be performing during the shutdown, as spelled out in the Lapsed Appropriations Contingency Plan that was filed. Among the non-exempted activities (that will cease during the shutdown) are:




        • Issuing refunds; Processing Form 1040X amended returns

        • All audit functions and examinations of returns

        • Processing paper tax returns that do include remittances

        • Taxpayer services, such as answering taxpayer questions






        share|improve this answer














        During the partial shutdown of the US Federal government, the IRS will continue to collect tax and process income tax returns, but refunds will not be paid. There have been numerous articles written on this subject - I am linking to one here. Google will give you many more.



        MarketWatch -
        3 unfortunate ways the government shutdown will impact you



        [Edited to provide additional information]



        An article from the Journal of Accountancy gives some good additional information regarding exactly what functions the IRS will and will not be performing during the shutdown, as spelled out in the Lapsed Appropriations Contingency Plan that was filed. Among the non-exempted activities (that will cease during the shutdown) are:




        • Issuing refunds; Processing Form 1040X amended returns

        • All audit functions and examinations of returns

        • Processing paper tax returns that do include remittances

        • Taxpayer services, such as answering taxpayer questions







        share|improve this answer














        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer








        edited 15 mins ago

























        answered 2 hours ago









        IstanariIstanari

        1,43657




        1,43657






























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