Federal Shutdown Would Stall Refunds, May Shut IRS Offices

As a bitter budget impasse pushes the federal government closer towards a shutdown, the Internal Revenue Service, which has offices in Hauppauge and Riverhead, said Thursday the deadline to file returns is still April 18.

However, residents filing paper returns may have to wait indefinitely for their refunds.

New York IRS spokeswoman Dianne Besunder said paper tax returns will not be processed if the federal government goes dark. Though, returns filed electronically, which the IRS offers through its website - free for people with an adjusted gross income under $58,000 - will be processed.

“Since 1980, all agencies have had to maintain a plan in case of a government shutdown and we are prepared for any contingency as a matter of course,” Besunder said.

The spokewoman said they are not sure yet if the Hauppauge and Riverhead offices would be closed, as plans are in the process of being finalized.

If closed, the offices would put the agency’s 145 Hauppauge employees and 6 Riverhead employees on temporary furlough.