What to know about accessing services from the IRS post shutdown

It will take weeks — and probably months — for the Internal Revenue Service to return to full operations after the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history.

Experts said the agency has a huge backlog of work because the shutdown began a couple of weeks before the Oct. 15 tax filing deadline for some types of corporations and individuals who received extensions. Since then, taxpayers have received computer-generated letters about insufficient payment, penalties and incomplete returns — generating questions that have largely gone unanswered.

The IRS also had to suspend preparations for the 2026 filing season, which include new regulations and form changes based on the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the experts said.

Furthermore, the IRS staff is 25% smaller than it was last year after waves of layoffs between January and May.

Joseph J. Perry, a Melville-based national leader of tax services for CBIZ, said some IRS employees who were furloughed by the shutdown may not return, further hindering the agency’s ability to catch up.

"People will have taken this opportunity to shift careers or shift jobs," he said. "So while the IRS anticipates bringing people back, there are going to be some that they expect to come back that won't."

An IRS spokesman wasn't able to comment publicly on Thursday.

The IRS, unlike other federal agencies, wasn't fully closed during the shutdown, though its customer service operations were curtailed. Taxpayers who filed their returns electronically had them processed and refunds were issued, according to a contingency plan posted on the IRS website. 

Newsday sought the advice of experts about how taxpayers should respond to what are expected to be lengthy wait times for IRS services.

Who can I call for answers?

The IRS number for individual taxpayers is 800-829-1040. For business inquiries, the number is 800-829-4933.

Perry warned that it may take hours to reach a live IRS customer service representative.

"Use a speaker phone to dial the IRS ... That way you can do other tasks while you're waiting, and then when you get somebody, make sure to give them your call-back number," he said in an interview. "The worst thing would be to wait five or six hours for a response and then suddenly you get disconnected and [the IRS rep] can't call you back."

I received a letter saying that I owe more but can't get questions answered. Should I pay?

Yes, because it will stop the interest and penalties from accruing.

Craig L. Petrella, owner of Petrella CPA — Accountants & Advisors in North Massapequa, said the IRS letters about insufficient payment, penalties and incomplete returns were generated without being reviewed by IRS staff.

"If the amount is small enough, and the person can afford to go without that money, I recommend paying ... Paying doesn't mean we're not going to fight it, but at least we stop the interest and penalties from getting bigger," he said in an interview.

Should I take the IRS letter seriously?

Don’t ignore the letter, but also don’t let it make you anxious, Petrella said, adding a tax preparer may be able to set your mind at ease.

"In the majority of cases, people get nervous when they shouldn't be," he said. "It's not the end of the world, and if you don't know the answer to something, never be afraid to ask for help from somebody who does."

How could the shutdown affect the 2026 tax season?

The National Association of Tax Professionals, which represents more than 23,000 tax preparers, has warned that the IRS is very behind in issuing regulations.

"Preparing the IRS for the implementation of new tax law, including the comprehensive reforms proposed in the OBBBA [One Big Beautiful Bill Act], requires time, coordination and stable operations," said Scott Artman, the association’s CEO. "Tax professionals are doing their best to prepare for filing season, but without a functioning IRS, they’re operating in the dark."

By James T. Madore

james.madore@newsday.comJamesTMadore

James T. Madore writes about Long Island business news including the economy, development, and the relationship between government and business. He previously served as Albany bureau chief.