Tax season delayed...Again!

It seems to be an annual ritual-Congress delays tax law changes until the very end of the year and the IRS is left scrambling to adjust their tax forms and software to catch up to the new laws!  I'm not taking sides with the IRS, just saying sometimes it's not all their fault.  Anyway, this year it's a little different.  There were no major changes to the tax code this year, but remember the government shutdown back in October?  Well, that put the IRS behind the 8-ball... again.  So, long story short - this year instead of opening for tax filing on January 20th, the IRS will begin accepting returns on January 31.  For those who owe money, no big deal.  However, for the millions of Americans who depend on an early tax refund, sorry.  It's going to be a little late this year.  Even though the returns can't be filed before the 31st, there is nothing that says they can't be prepared and ready to go well before then.  In other words, to get your refund as soon as possible, see your tax preparer as early as possible with all your information ready to go. That way, since your return is already prepared, when January 31st rolls around, all he has to do is click the "Send" button and your return is filed.