Tax extension deadline is Oct.15 despite the government shutdown. Here's what to know.
E-filing remains fully operational and is the best way to prove that you met Wednesday’s deadline, experts say. Credit: Getty Images/John Moore
The deadline for taxpayers who received an extension to file their 2024 tax returns remains Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. despite the federal government shutdown.
Last week’s furloughing of nearly half of the Internal Revenue Service’s staff didn’t alter the filing deadline, the agency said in a contingency plan on its website.
“Due to the lapse in appropriations, most IRS operations are closed,” states a memo to agency employees. However, the underlying tax law remains in effect, and taxpayers must meet their tax obligations.
Joseph J. Perry, a Melville-based national leader of tax services for CBIZ, said Tuesday, "Just because the government has shut down, collecting taxes and generating revenue has not."
About 20 million taxpayers, or 13% of the total, are facing Wednesday’s deadline, based on IRS data.
Newsday sought the advice of experts about how taxpayers should navigate this uncertain time.
Can I request a second filing extension?
"Generally, there are no additional extensions for individual returns...The return needs to be filed by tomorrow," Perry said in an interview.
Can I still speak with an IRS employee if I have questions about my return?
The agency’s contingency plan indicates that live telephone customer service is largely unavailable and walk-in taxpayer assistance centers are closed. There are centers in Bethpage and Holtsville.
Doreen Greenwald, president of the National Treasury Employees Union, which represents IRS workers, said taxpayers “will now have a much harder time getting the assistance they need, just as they get ready to file their extension returns.”
What's the best way to file?
E-filing remains fully operational and is the best way to prove that you met Wednesday’s deadline, said Craig L. Petrella, owner of Petrella CPA - Accountants & Advisors in North Massapequa. For those who prefer to submit their return via postal mail, he advised using certified mail "because there's a record with the tracking number that you can look up on USPS.com. "
What are the consequences if I miss Wednesday’s deadline?
You could be charged a failure to file penalty of 5% of unpaid taxes per month or partial month, up to 25%, starting Thursday, based on IRS regulations.
Where’s my refund?
Go to irs.gov/wheres-my-refund to check the status of your refund. Information is generally updated once a day, overnight.
The IRS hasn't publicly commented on whether the shutdown is slowing delivery of refunds beyond the usual six to eight weeks. But Petrella, the accountant, said, "You have to assume that things are going to take longer because there's less manpower."
Are there ways to reduce my tax liability at this late date?
Yes. If you didn't contribute the maximum amount to your Individual Retirement Account last year you have until tomorrow to do so — and also qualify for a tax deduction.
"You're cutting it close but it's possible," Petrella said, adding that contributions to Roth IRAs aren't deductible.
What if I owe money?
Tax payments were due on April 15 even if an extension was granted.
"An extension gives extra time to file, but it does not give taxpayers extra time to pay if they owe," states IRS regulations. "Taxpayers are obligated to pay taxes due on April 15, 2025, to avoid penalties and interest."
The failure to pay penalty is 0.5% of the unpaid taxes for each month or part of a month that the tax remains unpaid. The penalty won’t exceed 25% of the unpaid taxes, according to the regulations.
If both a failure to pay and a failure to file penalty are applied in the same month, the failure to file penalty will be reduced by the amount of the failure to pay penalty applied in that month, the regulations state.
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.
