The National Association of tax Professionals (NATP) has warned congressional leaders that ongoing government shutdowns and staff reductions are undermining the IRS’s ability to serve taxpayers and support the nation’s tax system. 

According to Accounting Today, in a letter sent Nov. 3 to House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, NATP CEO Scott Artman expressed concern about the long-term effects of the agency’s diminished capacity.

“Each day of this government shutdown chips away at the IRS’s capacity to serve taxpayers and support small businesses,” Artman wrote. 

He noted that many employees responsible for processing returns and maintaining systems have been displaced, leaving remaining staff “stretched thin.” The result, Artman warned, could include delayed refunds and increased strain on taxpayer assistance centers and phone lines. 

“Preparing the IRS for the implementation of new tax law, including the comprehensive reforms proposed in the OBBBA, requires time, coordination, and stable operations,” he said, adding that disruptions put those conditions at risk. 

Artman also urged Congress to suspend penalties and interest during shutdowns, saying it would protect taxpayers from “unjust financial consequences beyond their control.” He emphasized that without a functioning IRS, tax professionals are “operating in the dark.”