The federal government shutdown, which disrupted operations across multiple agencies, has officially ended, with the IRS and other departments resuming activity as of November 12, 2025. While many Americans feel relieved that federal services are back online, this transition also marks the beginning of a complicated and potentially overwhelming period for taxpayers.
At Anderson Bradshaw Tax Consulting, we understand how shutdowns create confusion, delay, and anxiety for individuals facing unfiled returns, audits, back taxes, or ongoing collection activity. As the IRS restarts full operations, navigating this new landscape requires clarity and strategic action.
Below, we break down exactly what happened, what to expect now, and why acting quickly is the smartest move you can make.
What Happened to the IRS During the Shutdown?
During the federal shutdown, the IRS was forced to furlough much of its workforce, leaving only essential functions in place. This resulted in a massive reduction in services and created a backlog that will take months to resolve. Here’s what taxpayers dealt with:
Severely Limited Processing
- Paper returns, amended returns, and many e-filed issues went unprocessed.
- Mail piled up by the millions, with no staff available to review or open it.
Refund Delays
Refund issuance slowed or stopped entirely for many taxpayers.
Minimal Taxpayer Assistance
- Phone lines went unanswered.
- Taxpayer Assistance Centers were closed.
- Getting clarification on notices or account issues was nearly impossible.
Most Audits and Collections Paused but Penalties Didn’t
- Non-critical audits and many collections efforts were temporarily suspended.
- Interest and penalties continued to accrue, causing balances to grow.
- Collection Statute Expiration Dates (CSEDs) generally continued to run.
Taxpayer Advocate Service and Appeals Disrupted
These taxpayer-protection services were almost entirely inactive.
Shutdowns don’t erase IRS problems, rather they simply delay and amplify them.
Now That the Shutdown Has Ended: What Taxpayers Should Expect
With IRS personnel back to work, the immediate challenge is clearing a massive backlog. Based on historical shutdown patterns and current IRS capacity, taxpayers can expect:
1. Prolonged Delays
Even though operations have resumed, processing times for:
- returns
- amended returns
- refunds
- audits
- mailed correspondence
may remain slow for weeks or even months.
2. Rapid Restart of Collections
IRS enforcement will be one of the very first areas to accelerate.
Expect:
- new collection notices
- levies and liens being reissued or initiated
- stricter deadlines for compliance
- increased pressure on unpaid balances
If you owe taxes, the window of “quiet time” is now over.
3. High Call Volume and Limited Support
Phone lines and walk-in centers have reopened, but demand is extremely high. Long wait times and difficulty speaking to a representative will continue.
4. Priority for Time-Sensitive Cases
The IRS will prioritize:
- active collections
- delinquent returns
- cases close to enforcement
- issues tied to expired or expiring deadlines
If you have unresolved matters, you cannot afford to wait.
What Taxpayers Should Do Right Now
As IRS operations surge back to life, taking proactive steps will protect your finances and your peace of mind.
Do NOT assume your case was overlooked
The IRS will catch up, and when it does, notices often arrive all at once.
Watch for new correspondence
Any letter regarding:
- back taxes
- audits
- wage garnishments
- bank levies
- missing filings
should be handled immediately.
Remember: Penalties & interest never stopped
Your balance today is likely higher than before the shutdown.
Act Before the IRS Does
If you have:
- unfiled returns
- tax debt
- audit issues
- a lien or levy risk
- a payroll tax problem
- penalties piling up
this is the time to take control.
The IRS is preparing to move fast and so should you.
How Anderson Bradshaw Tax Consulting Protects You in the Post-Shutdown IRS Environment
This period following a shutdown is one of the most challenging for taxpayers. The IRS is overwhelmed, disorganized, and motivated to enforce quickly. That’s exactly why partnering with a specialized tax resolution team is critical right now.
At Anderson Bradshaw Tax Consulting, we provide:
✓ Strategic Navigation Through the Backlog
We know how to bypass bottlenecks, reach IRS personnel, and escalate your case using the correct IRS channels, something the average taxpayer simply cannot do.
✓ Protection from Renewed Enforcement
As the IRS restarts levies, liens, garnishments, and aggressive collection activity, we intervene to:
- stop or prevent garnishments
- negotiate payment arrangements
- request holds on enforcement
- protect your assets
✓ Expert Representation for All Tax Issues
Our tax professionals handle every complexity including:
- Offer in Compromise
- Fresh Start Program enrollment
- Installment Agreements
- IRS audit defense
- Penalty reduction
- Back tax negotiations
- Emergency tax relief
✓ Direct Communication with IRS Departments
We understand who to contact, how to escalate, and how to push your case forward even during ongoing delays.
✓ Relief Tailored to Your Exact Situation
Every tax problem is different. We offer customized strategies that deliver long-term, sustainable solutions, not temporary fixes.
Don’t Wait for the IRS to Reach Out — Beat the Backlog Before It Becomes a Problem
With the federal government now operational again, the IRS is entering one of the most overwhelmed and enforcement-driven periods taxpayers have seen in years. Millions of stalled cases, delayed notices, and frozen collection activities are about to surge forward all at once, and taxpayers who wait for the IRS to “get around to them” may find themselves facing penalties, interest, and aggressive enforcement without warning.
This is not the time to stay passive.
As the IRS tackles its massive backlog, you can expect:
- A rapid increase in audit activity
- Restarted levy and lien programs
- New notices on old balances
- Accelerated collection efforts on delinquent accounts
- Processing delays that can complicate or stall your case if it isn’t handled correctly
The truth is simple:
If you have a tax issue, the IRS will initiate action, the only question is whether you’ll be prepared when they do.
At Anderson Bradshaw Tax Consulting, we help taxpayers get ahead of the chaos. Our team understands IRS procedures inside and out, and we know exactly how to move your case forward even when the agency is buried in work. We act quickly to protect you, communicate with IRS personnel on your behalf, and secure the best possible outcome for your situation.
Take Control of Your Tax Situation Now Before the IRS Does
Whether you’re dealing with:
- Unfiled or past-due tax returns
- Back taxes and mounting penalties
- A bank levy or wage garnishment threat
- Payroll tax liabilities
- A stalled IRS case that was frozen during the shutdown
- An audit or examination that needs immediate attention
- Confusing notices you don’t fully understand
This is the moment to take action. Waiting only gives the IRS more time to penalize, pursue, and pressure you into costly consequences.
Our tax resolution experts step in immediately to:
- Stop enforcement when possible
- Negotiate with the IRS to reduce your burden
- Create manageable repayment solutions
- Correct filing issues before they spiral
- Guide you through audits and appeals
- Protect your rights every step of the way
With decades of combined experience and thousands of successful cases resolved, Anderson Bradshaw Tax Consulting is the trusted partner taxpayers rely on when the IRS becomes overwhelming.
You deserve peace of mind, and you don’t have to navigate the post-shutdown IRS alone.
Let us take the stress off your shoulders and guide you toward the best resolution available under IRS regulations.
Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation at 877.550.3911 or visit www.AndersonBradshawTax.com to learn more.
Act now. In a post-shutdown IRS landscape, timing is everything and the sooner we step in, the more options you’ll have.
