Government shutdown: how it will affect tax returns

As tax season approaches, the government shutdown can also affect returns.

If the shutdown continues through late January, tax refunds could be delayed as well.

According to Businessinsider.com, the IRS is currently operating on about 12 percent of its employees. Therefore, refunds will be hard to distribute.

If the shutdown is resolved within a few weeks, it may not affect tax payers. If it continues, it may pressure lawmakers to make quick decisions to end the shutdown.

The likelihood of this delay shouldn’t stop you from filing early through. The earlier you file means the earlier you will secure your spot for refunds when the shutdown ends.