IRS RELEASES DETAILS REGARDING FURLOUGH OF EMPLOYEES

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As I stated in an earlier blog, the IRS plans forced furloughs on some of their employees on May 24, June 14, July 5, July 22, and August 30 of this year. The furloughs are, of course, the result of the sequester-related closures (in other words, because of the financial difficulties of the government.)

The IRS has now released additional details about these furloughs. All IRS operations will be closed on the above dates, including all toll free hotlines, the Taxpayer Advocate, and the Service’s Taxpayer Assistance Centers nationwide. No returns will be processed and no compliance related activities will take place. The Service will also not be able to accept nor acknowledge receipt of electronically filed returns on any day that the agency is closed. Keep in mind that tax payment deadlines are not affected by the furloughs.

If the Service has asked (demanded?) information or documents from you, and the date for compliance falls on a furlough day, you will be given until the next business day. In other words, if the IRS has sent you an administrative Summons or Request for Records in connection with examining your tax return, or if they have asked you for documents related to collecting taxes from you, if the due date for any of these is a furlough date you have until the business day.