If you missed it over the weekend as you double checked your pipes and dug through your closet for blankets and coats, a partial government shutdown started at midnight Jan. 31.
Yes, another shutdown.
Coming only five days after the start of the 2026 tax season, the question being asked is whether the partial shutdown could affect when you could get your tax refund.
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The simple answer? It could.
The IRS typically issues most refunds in less than 21 days, if the return is accurate and complete, according to the agency. Welcome news to all those expecting a refund this year.
However, many of the IRS’s major functions, including application processing and refunds, could be affected by the shutdown, although House Speaker Mike Johnson said he thinks he has enough Republican votes to reopen the government this week.
Here’s what you should know.
When can I file my taxes?
The 2026 tax filing season opened Jan. 26.
What is the tax filing deadline?
The deadline to file your taxes in 2026 is Wednesday, April 15.
Is there a government shutdown right now?
Yes, sort of.
A partial shutdown started at midnight Jan. 31.
Parts of the Pentagon, the Health and Human Services Department and the Transportation Department were ordered to begin an “orderly shutdown.”
Five appropriations bills were passed by the Senate on Jan. 30 to fund them but the House won’t be able to consider the measures until it reconvenes today, Feb. 2.
House Speaker Mike Johnson told NBC’s “Meet the Press” Feb. 1 he was confident the government would reopen by at least Tuesday.
Will partial shutdown affect my IRS refund?
Tax refunds can be impacted by a full or partial government shutdown.
The IRS’s ability to stay open during a shutdown depends on funding.
During the 2025 record shutdown, the IRS furloughed about 50% of its employees and reduced services after it ran out of money.
If this shutdown continues and the IRS limits services like it did during the record 2025 shutdown, refunds are not paid during that time, according to a news release on the agency’s website issued during the prior shutdown.
Want to get your refund even during a shutdown? Here’s how
The IRS said during the October 2025 shutdown there is one exception to taxpayers not getting their refunds during a shutdown.
“Tax refunds will generally not be paid during this period with one key exception.
“For taxpayers filing a Form 1040, refunds will continue to be paid on electronically filed, error-free tax returns that can be automatically processed and direct deposited. The IRS urges individual taxpayers to file electronically with direct deposit to avoid delays.”
Will tax deadline be extended because of a government shutdown?
No. You still have to file your taxes, or ask for an extension, by the April 15 deadline.
“All taxpayers must continue to meet their tax obligations as normal,” the IRS said.
Contributing: Mary Walrath-Holdridge, Zachary Schermele, Susan Page, USA TODAY
Cheryl McCloud is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at tallahassee.com/newsletters.
