Federal Government Shutdown 2025: Do You Still Need to Pay and File Your IRS Taxes?
- frontdesk781
- Oct 8
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 30
When the federal government shuts down, many Americans wonder whether their tax obligations get postponed or canceled. The short answer: no — even during a shutdown, you are still required to file and pay your taxes on time.
Let’s clarify how this works and what you should do if you’re currently on extension.
Why a Shutdown 2025 Doesn’t Pause Tax Law
Tax deadlines, extensions, and payment obligations are governed by federal statute (the Internal Revenue Code), not by government funding bills. That means even when Congress fails to fund operations, your legal tax responsibilities remain unchanged.
The IRS cannot alter due dates unless directed by Congress or the Treasury Department.
Extensions give more time to file, but not more time to pay (Investopedia, 2024).
Penalties and interest continue to accrue for late payments, even if the IRS has limited operations.
In short, a shutdown may slow certain services — but it doesn’t stop the clock on tax law.
How the IRS Operates During a Shutdown
The IRS has a contingency plan that determines which services continue during a funding lapse.
For the first few days, the IRS operates using reserved funding, including appropriations from the Inflation Reduction Act (The Tax Adviser, 2025).
Electronic filing (e-file), direct deposit refunds, and online payment portals usually remain active.
If the shutdown persists, non-essential personnel may be furloughed, which can delay phone support, paper processing, and audit correspondence (Associated Press, 2025).
So, while customer service might slow, the expectation to file and pay does not change.
What if You’re on Extension?
If you filed an extension earlier in the year, remember:
The extended filing deadline for individual returns in 2025 is October 15, you will want to be sure to make sure your payments and returns are postmarked before, we recommend if you are mailing to do so using a certified mailing service.
Even during a government shutdown, this deadline remains in effect.
Any balance due should have been paid by the original April deadline to avoid accumulating interest or late-payment penalties.
Delaying because of a shutdown is not an excuse recognized by the IRS.
What Might Actually Be Delayed
A prolonged shutdown could affect the speed of certain IRS processes, but not the legality of your obligations. You may experience:
Slower responses from live IRS representatives.
Delays in processing mailed correspondence or paper-filed returns.
Longer wait times for refunds requiring manual review.
Using electronic filing and direct deposit helps minimize these disruptions (TaxAct Blog, 2025).
Key Takeaways for Taxpayers
File and pay on time each year, April 15th. Shutdowns do not delay tax law.
Use electronic systems for filing and payment to avoid paper backlogs.
Stay informed through official IRS channels, not social media rumors.
Consult your CPA or tax professional if you’re unsure how a shutdown affects your situation.
At DiSalvo Tax & Accounting, we help individuals and small businesses stay compliant even when Washington DC is uncertain. If you’re on extension or have concerns about payments during the 2025 shutdown, reach out — our team is here to help. If you're ready to prepare for the upcoming tax season, now is a good time for tax planning.
References
Associated Press. (2025, September 28). What happens to IRS operations during a government shutdown? AP News. https://apnews.com/article/952b84666a5099547546af9ee44d883f
Investopedia. (2024, April 12). Filing extension: Definition, how it works, and what’s included. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/filing-extension.asp
National Society of Tax Professionals. (2025, September 22). Tax deadlines remain firm even during government shutdowns. https://www.nstp.org/article/tax-deadlines-are-firm-even-during-shutdowns
TaxAct Blog. (2025, September 24). Government shutdown and IRS tax updates 2025. https://blog.taxact.com/government-shutdown-irs-tax-updates
The Tax Adviser. (2025, September 25). IRS contingency plan: How long will tax operations continue during a shutdown? https://www.thetaxadviser.com/news/2025/sep/irs-shutdown-plan-employees-stay-on-the-job-for-first-5-workdays
OpenAI. (2025, October 6). Federal Government Shutdown 2025: Do you still need to pay & file your IRS taxes? [Blog post drafted with ChatGPT assistance]. ChatGPT (GPT-5 model). https://chat.openai.com
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered tax, accounting, or legal advice. Every situation is unique, and results may vary. For guidance specific to your circumstances, please consult a qualified professional.
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