(Nexstar) – As Americans gear up for the October 15 extension deadline for their 2024 federal tax returns, many might be anxious about whether their checks will be processed. But there’s no need to worry; the IRS is still keen on collecting those payments.
While most people met the April deadline, about 19 million individuals have opted for an extension until mid-October. Some may have hoped the federal shutdown, set to start on October 1, would offer a break, but that won’t be the case.
This week, the IRS shared a contingency plan outlining operations during a shutdown. The plan indicates that employees will continue working for the first five days, focusing on essential functions afterward.
IRS president Anthony Burke mentioned that the current budget falls under a broader funding package, which means tax obligations remain in place no matter how long the suspension lasts. “Submission and payment requirements under federal tax law remain unaffected by the current expiration of expenditures,” he noted.
Even though the IRS seems stable in the short term, concerns linger about potential long-term disruptions. Earlier this year, the agency experienced significant staff reductions due to a government efficiency initiative dubbed Doge.
A Treasury inspector recently stated that while there were improvements in handling the 2025 tax returns, questions remain about the IRS’s ability to function effectively in 2026. “The main IRS functions responsible for managing the filing season have lost 17-19% of the workforce,” the report revealed.
The report points out that implementing a new, comprehensive bill will necessitate major changes for the IRS ahead of the 2026 filing season.
Regardless of how they tackle these upcoming challenges, taxpayers can continue to find comfort in old sayings about American life, many of which can be traced back to Benjamin Franklin.
