Although the recent government shutdown negatively impacted many businesses and individuals, Texas taxpayers and everyone else will still have to file on time, or face the usual penalties and interest.
For the second time in as many years, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will begin accepting returns on Jan. 28, with the actual start of filing season to be determined by this December. The previous delay happened just after the beginning of 2013, when months of negotiations culminated in major legislation by Congress, adjusting tax rates. The political standoff led the IRS to delay the beginning of the filing season by over a week. Those with atypical filing restrictions were forced to wait until February or even March before filing.
The acting commissioner said the delay was due to the “intricate, detailed process” of preparing IRS systems to deal with tax season, and that the delay was necessary in order to ensure that filings and refunds go off without a hitch for taxpayers.
The government shutdown put the IRS. right at the peak of its preparation for the 2014 tax season. The delay is attributed in part to the 400,000 pieces of correspondence received during the shutdown alone, added to over a million items that were already awaiting the I.S.’ attention. During the shutdown, which lasted just over two weeks, over 90% of the agency’s nearly 95,000 workers were furloughed, and the bulk of their operations shuttered. The agency said they are nearly three weeks behind schedule and searching for ways shorten the delay. They appreciate taxpayers’ patience.
Even though the IRS will be running late, taxpayers don’t have that option. Punctuality is only one consideration, however. Especially for those with complex tax situations, an experienced tax attorney can help with other issues involved in tax filing.
Source:
nytimes.com, “Citing Shutdown, I.R.S. Says Tax Season Will Start Late” Annie Lowery, Oct. 22, 2013