IRS to furlough thousands of workers amid shutdown

The Internal Revenue Service is placing more than 34,000 employees, or about 46% of its workforce, on furlough starting Wednesday.

The IRS said it is placing more than 34,000 employees, or about 46% of its workforce, on furlough starting Wednesday as the government shutdown stretches into its second week.

The agency will also temporarily pause many taxpayer services, such as answering phone calls. The independent Taxpayer Advocate Service will also cease operations because of the lapse in funding.

The IRS added that most administrative functions will also come to a halt, as will many planning activities.

"Today, due to the government shutdown the American people lost access to many vital services provided by the IRS when the agency furloughed thousands of employees," National Treasury Employees Union President Doreen Greenwald said.

Americans can expect longer wait times, delays in changes to the tax code and backlogs, she said. "Taxpayers around the country will now have a much harder time getting the assistance they need, just as they get ready to file their extension returns due next week."