The IRS Isn’t Issuing Tax Refunds During Government Shutdown

The IRS will take your money but as far as sending out tax refunds, um, yeah, we need to talk.

If you aren't aware, the government is shut down currently. That means 800,000 government employees aren't working. If you're not a federal employee, you're probably thinking, "how does this even affect me?"

The "trickle-down" is real folks, and it's going to hit everyone.

For example, if you're one of the few who likes to knock out your taxes and get your return early on in the year, it looks like you're going to have to wait until the government resumes business.

According to CNN, The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) "is currently operating with only 12.5% of its workforce, or fewer than 10,000 federal employees."

CNN also says "the IRS typically doesn't perform audits, pay refunds or offer assistance to taxpayers if they have questions, especially outside of the filing season."

Get that? No refunds. Not until the government ends the shutdown but there might be some light at the end of the tunnel as House Democrats voted yesterday to reopen the government.

If that makes it through the Senate it'll be a miracle but hey, fingers crossed.

Sweet Lenny is the brand manager of 97ZOK and Operations Manager for Townsquare Media Rockford. Catch him afternoons 3 to 7 on 97ZOK. Follow him on Twitter, Instagram and like his page on Facebook.