With tax season fast approaching, filers seeking money back on their 2018 income taxes could see delayed refunds if the federal government shutdown continues. According to an Internal Revenue Service operational plan for the shutdown, issuing refunds is listed under "non-excepted" activities that would be furloughed during the stalemate. The agency is operating with just 12 percent of its workforce, mainly focused on technology and security. Jenny Brown, head of the union representing IRS employees in Ogden, Utah, told The Standard-Examiner that Ogden serves as a support center for income tax inquiries from the general public. Brown, who's president of Local 67 of the National Treasury Employees Union, said with minimal IRS staffing, those with questions are "not going to get through" on IRS phone lines or they're going to have much longer waits than usual. NBC 7's Mari Payton looked at comments made by President Donald Trump Friday regarding the … [Read more...] about How the Government Shutdown May Affect Your Tax Returns and Refunds
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Government shutdown causing chaos at the IRS just before tax filing season
Americans are used to procrastinating when it comes to their taxes. This year, tax filing season is expected to get an even bigger delay—thanks to the government shutdown. The Internal Revenue Service is one of the many agencies shut down since Dec. 22. Only 12 percent of its staff are working (without pay), mostly focused on security and technology. The agency is not issuing refunds, updating tax forms or answering phone help lines, according to its shutdown plans. That's making tax professionals fret as they anticipate a shorter window in which to file. That's on top of an already complicated tax season, due to the myriad of new regulations ushered in by 2017's sweeping tax reform bill, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. "When I look in my tax software, which is professional tax software, there are many forms that haven't been finalized," said Steven Zelin, a CPA based in Manhattan. "We can't file. And since the tax law changed so much there's a likelihood that there's maybe … [Read more...] about Government shutdown causing chaos at the IRS just before tax filing season
Tax refunds could be delayed if government shutdown drags on
Susan Tompor Detroit Free Press Published 9:00 AM EST Jan 4, 2019 The government shutdown has put all sorts of things on hold. But don’t expect the Washington standoff to end up delaying the deadline for filing your income taxes. This year, the tax deadline is the traditional April 15 — with or without the shutdown. What's tricky: There is a risk that tax refunds would be delayed if a federal budget deal isn't reached by late January or so. The Internal Revenue Service can process tax returns during a shutdown; it can't hand over tax refunds. The latest information from the IRS is that issuing refunds is a "non-excepted activity," which means no refunds during a shutdown, tax experts say. Remember, early tax filers back in 2013 faced delays of at least one week after what everyone called the "fiscal cliff debate" then dragged on and on. Now, the expectation remains that the IRS will begin accepting electronically filed tax … [Read more...] about Tax refunds could be delayed if government shutdown drags on
Indonesian marine life affected by sinking of Ocean Princess: government
Kupang, E Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA News) - Oil tanker Ocean Princess that sank in the vicinity waters off Aemoli Village in eastern Indonesia on December 22, 2018 has affected the marine life of Pantar Strait and its surrounding waters, an official stated. The East Nusa Tenggara provincial government`s marine and fishery authority has sent a team to observe the damages caused by the oil spill of the sinking vessel, Head of the East Nusa Tenggara Marine and Fishery Office Ganef Wurgiyanto noted here on Friday. "The team members had completed their field investigation on Thursday afternoon, and their preliminary findings show that there are indeed damages to marine life of Selat Pantar Marine Park," he noted. The total amount of material losses for the environmental damages, caused by the tanker carrying diesel fuel from Timor Leste to Singapore, which capsized on December 22, 2018, has been calculated, Wurgiyanto revealed. The amount of calculated material losses will immediately be … [Read more...] about Indonesian marine life affected by sinking of Ocean Princess: government
New filings implicate Donald Trump in payments to buy women’s silence
Visit The Boston Globe Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Comment on this Scroll to top of page By Sharon LaFraniere, Benjamin Weiser and Maggie Haberman New York Times December 07, 2018 NEW YORK — Federal prosecutors said Friday that President Trump directed illegal payments to ward off a potential sex scandal that threatened his chances of winning the White House in 2016, putting the weight of the Justice Department behind accusations previously made by his former lawyer.The lawyer, Michael Cohen, had said that as the election neared, Trump directed payments to two women who claimed they had affairs with Trump. But in a new memorandum arguing for a prison term for Cohen, prosecutors in Manhattan said he “acted in coordination and at the direction of” an unnamed individual, clearly referring to Trump. READ: The Michael Cohen sentencing recommendation documents In another filing, prosecutors for the special counsel investigating … [Read more...] about New filings implicate Donald Trump in payments to buy women’s silence