Despite Government Shutdown, Tax Filing Season Starts January 28

The IRS has announced that despite the government shutdown, the 2019 tax filing season will begin on Monday, 1/28/19. The agency maintains the position that it has the authority to pay refunds despite a lapse in annual appropriations, and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) agrees. Therefore, the IRS will be recalling a significant portion of its furloughed personnel to work. Additional information regarding the upcoming filing season will be included in an updated FY2019 Lapsed Appropriations Contingency Plan. For most taxpayers, the deadline to file 2018 tax returns is Monday, 4/15/19. However, taxpayers living in Maine or Massachusetts have until 4/17/19 due to the Emancipation Day holiday.