Please be aware that if you have issues that need to be resolved with the IRS, there are significant limitations currently to receiving a prompt resolution. The IRS was already greatly delayed in processing returns and refunds due to budget cuts and layoffs and now is almost completely on furlough. Your obligations as to tax laws and filing and paying deadlines remain unchanged and in place, but services from the IRS are severely limited.

“The government shutdown, which began Tuesday morning, has kept home an estimated 800,000 federal employees, including more than 85,000 who work for the IRS, according to the agency’s contingency plan. That leaves slightly more than 9 percent of the IRS staff on the job.” Read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/oct/2/irs-collecting-money-not-sending-refunds-during-sh/#.Uk2P1RgR_NE.email#ixzz2gfsvx8Mo

IRS Operations During The Lapse In Appropriations

No live telephone customer service assistance will be available and IRS walk-in taxpayer assistance centers will be closed. Automated IRS notices will continue to be mailed. The IRS will not be working any paper correspondence during this period.
How does this affect you?
• You should continue to file and pay taxes as normal. Individuals who requested an extension of time to file should file their returns by Oct. 15, 2013.
• All other tax deadlines remain in effect, including those covering individuals, corporations, partnerships and employers. The regular payroll tax deadlines remain in effect as well.
• The processing of paper returns will be delayed until full government operations resume. Payments accompanying paper tax returns will still be accepted as the IRS receives them.
• Tax refunds will not be issued until normal government operations resume.
What IRS services will be available?
For taxpayers seeking assistance, only the automated applications on the regular 800-829-1040 telephone line will remain open.