We expected it would happen, and now the time has come. The IRS has sent out furlough notices to the entire IRS workforce notifying employees that the IRS will shut down completely on the following days: May 24, June 14, July 5, July 22, and August 30. In addition, there could be two more furlough days in August or September. On these furlough days, all IRS facilities will shut down, meaning calls to the IRS will go unanswered and taxpayer assistance centers will be closed.

As expected, the furlough days are all coming after the April 15 tax deadline. But that doesn’t mean the IRS doesn't remain busy the rest of the year. Businesses on a fiscal year, businesses or individuals who make quarterly payments, individuals who filed for an extension, estate tax returns, and others have deadlines to meet during this time. In addition, no one will be able to get employer identification numbers by phone on those days, which can cause issues for estates or in business transactions.

Looking on the bright side, a few of the furlough days coincide with holidays to make an even longer holiday weekend. Maybe tax attorneys and accountants should take those days off as well.