IRS date for tax returns pushed back

The IRS has reported they expect a delay in processing tax returns this year as testing and development of software related tax filings was pushed back due to October’s government shutdown.

IRS officials have said they do not expect to begin processing returns until Jan. 31 (10 days later than usual) in order to catch up on work they were not able accomplish during the partial government shutdown between Oct. 1 and 16 of last year.

“The late January opening gives us enough time to get things right with our programming,” said IRS Acting Commissioner Danny Werfel in a news release published Dec. 18. “It’s a complex process, and our bottom-line goal is to provide a smooth filing and refund process for the nation's taxpayers.”

The processing date had similarly been pushed back last year in light of congressional debates regarding the so-called “fiscal cliff,” in which a budget compromise was not passed until Jan. 1, 2013, including significant changes to tax laws affecting 2012 filings.

Those who mail or electronically filed their tax return prior to Jan. 31 will simply have their information held until the processing date begins. The April 15 filing deadline for returns has remained unchanged.