KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The government shutdown is keeping most IRS workers at home, but they still want your cash! If you filed a tax extension — you better get that return in the mail by midnight.
More than 90 percent of all IRS workers are currently not working. IRS offices, like the one in Kansas City, don’t have anyone on hand to process your return.
But federal officials say despite that fact, you still need to file your return by the end of Tuesday…or risk having to pay interest or fine.
We all know the traditional tax filing deadline is April 15th, but those who couldn’t get it done in time filed a six month extension, which expires on Tuesday.
More than 12 million people nationwide filed an extension, with more than 220,000 of those taxpayers from Kansas and Missouri.
Here’s how the government shutdown will affect you if you are filing an extension.
First of all, if the government owes you money, federal officials say don’t expect to get your refund until after the government reopens.
Also, all IRS taxpayer assistance centers are closed right now. So if you don’t have an accountant, you are on your own trying to figure out what credits and deductions you can use.
If you do miss any credits or deductions, you can amend your return at a later date.
As for making sure the IRS knows you mailed it in on time, one tax researcher has some advice.
“Don’t just drop your return in a mailbox, make sure you have a receipt that shows you filed by the post office by the October 15th deadline or, if you e-file, the government will have that information automatically,” H&R Block lead tax researcher Lynn Ebel said.
If you e-file, your return will be processed right away while paper returns won’t be processed until after the government shutdown ends.
If you’re feeling stressed out about it, call an accountant first thing this Tuesday morning to make sure you get it filed by the end of the day.
