The extension deadline still applies
If you filed for extra time to do your 2024 federal taxes, you may be wondering if the October 15 deadline still matters now that the federal government has shut down. The answer is yes—it does.
Most Americans already filed and paid their taxes back in April, but the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) estimates around 19 million people asked for an extension. That extension gave them until October 15, 2025, to finish filing and pay. Some may have hoped the government shutdown that began on October 1 would delay things. Unfortunately for taxpayers, the IRS says deadlines do not change.
IRS issues shutdown plan
Earlier this week, the IRS released its official plan for how it will keep running during the shutdown. According to the document, all IRS employees will keep working for the first five days of the shutdown. After that, only “essential” workers will remain on the job.
But whether the agency is fully staffed or running on a smaller team, the IRS made one thing very clear: tax payments are still due.
IRS spokesperson Anthony Burke explained it this way:
“Filing and payment requirements under the Federal tax law remain unaffected by the current lapse in appropriations.”
Read this later: What will the IRS tax brackets be in 2026? A new projection suggests increases in the reference rates with incomes of up to $768,701…
In simple terms, shutdown or not, you still have to pay your taxes on time.
Will there be delays?
While the IRS says the October deadline will not change, experts warn that the shutdown could slow things down in other areas. That’s because the agency has already been struggling with fewer staff.
Earlier this year, the Department of Government Efficiency—nicknamed DOGE—cut back IRS jobs. Those cuts took away between 17% and 19% of the workers responsible for handling the annual filing season. That’s a big loss for an agency that already has to manage millions of tax returns every year.
Long-term concerns
The Treasury’s Inspector General, who reviews how government agencies perform, recently said the IRS handled the 2025 filing season fairly well, even with some new improvements. But the report warned about the future.
One major issue is the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which will force the IRS to make major changes before the 2026 tax season. Those changes require technology updates, more staffing, and new processes. But because of the recent cuts, the IRS may not have enough resources to do the job quickly or smoothly.
That could mean future delays in processing returns, answering taxpayer questions, or sending out refunds.
Read this later: How is capital gains tax calculated and which gains are taxable?
What taxpayers should do
For now, though, the most important thing taxpayers need to know is simple: The IRS is still collecting taxes.
- If you filed for an extension, your return and payment are due by October 15, 2025.
- Payments must be made on time, even if the shutdown drags on.
- Filing late could lead to penalties and interest, just like in normal years.
Even though the IRS may face staffing issues, it has made clear that deadlines do not change because of a shutdown.
Read this later: What are the deadlines to pay taxes without interest or penalties?
The old saying still holds true
The IRS may cut workers. The government may shut down. New laws may add more complications. But there’s one thing taxpayers can count on: the IRS will always expect payment.
As Benjamin Franklin famously said centuries ago, “Nothing is certain except death and taxes.” For Americans facing the October 15 deadline, that old saying feels more true than ever.
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