The IRS released a statement about the impact of the federal shutdown, now in Day 37 (the longest on record) – Some highlights:

• Tax obligations remain unchanged

• Tax refunds are essentially limited to e-filed returns with direct deposit information provided on which no automated errors arise (so if you opted for paper check, or the IRS computers raises a question, the refund is paused)

• Payments still being processed

• Limited phone service

• Appeals & Taxpayer Advocate cases postponed

Additional areas are described in the official press release, and we’ll keep hoping the impasse gets lifted soon and IRS operations can return to normal.