IRS decides to shut down completely on furlough dates

Acting IRS Commissioner Steve Miller announced that the IRS will close “all public-facing operations,” including toll-free operations and Taxpayer Assistance Centers, on May 24, June 14, July 5, July 22, and August 30, with another two days of closings possible in August or September, in response to the budget cuts from sequestration.

Some “mission-essential” information technology and security personnel will work on those days and take alternate furlough days, but the commissioner emphasized that “everyone is covered by this furlough, and that means everyone from the acting commissioner and executives to managers and employees.” Official furlough notices will be sent out next week via email and regular mail.

The furlough days were chosen in an attempt to minimize the financial disruption for employees, with no more than one day per pay period and, in some cases, no days during some summer pay periods, the commissioner said. The decision to close down completely was made as a cost-saving measure to save on utilities and other costs at IRS locations. 

—Sally P. Schreiber (sschreiber@aicpa.org) is a JofA senior editor.