Americans will get their refund checks anyway, according to Frank Bisignano, IRS CEO and Social Security commissioner, who said a possible government shutdown would not affect refunds.
“We’re coming. We were in the last shutdown, 43 days,” Bisignano said. “Our people will participate. These are incredible career workers serving the American public. And that was true at Social Security. All our offices were open and we did everything we could for our people who were struggling because it was a Democratic shutdown, and we shouldn’t have another one.”
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has also expressed optimism about the coming refunds, saying they could be “substantial.”
BESSENT SAYS TRUMP TAX CUTS COULD MEAN ‘SIGNIFICANT REFUNDS’ FOR WORKING AMERICANS BY 2026
IRS CEO and Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano said Americans will get their tax refunds on time even if the government is partially shut down. (Juanmonino via Getty Images)
“We have announced that tax season is now open. And that is true [going to] see substantial refunds for working Americans,” Bessent said during an appearance on “Hannity” [going to] change their withholding and receive a higher net salary every two weeks, every month. So it’s a really exciting time.”
Congress faces a tight Jan. 30 funding deadline and Democrats have yet to decide on a funding package for the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026. The bill, which is one of six in the funding package, would provide funds for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
FORECAST MARKET TRADERS PLACE THE CHANCE OF GOVERNMENT CLOSING AT 80%
IRS CEO Frank Bisignano says Americans will get their tax refunds even if the government shuts down, insisting there is no delay. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent added that the upcoming refunds could be significant. (iStock)
Democrats were already skeptical about supporting the DHS spending bill, but the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti in Minnesota sparked a battle against the department and a movement to block the bill. Democrats had previously reached an agreement with Senate Republicans on the issue, imposing several restrictions on the freedom of choice and use of ICE during months of negotiations. However, Pretti’s death changed that dynamic, forcing Democrats to reject the bill.
Several Democrats have appealed to the president Donald Trump to fire DHS Secretary Kristi Noem as House Democrats threaten impeachment. The White House has stood behind Noem, and the president said the DHS secretary was doing “a very good job.”
With Congress facing a cutoff deadline, IRS officials say taxpayers will still receive their refunds on time. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent added that despite the funding struggles, repayments could be significant. (Al Drago/Getty Images)
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If lawmakers fail to reach an agreement and a partial shutdown ensues, 78% of the federal government will not have the necessary resources to operate. The package, which consists of six bills and totals $1.2 trillion, will provide money not only for DHS, but also for the Pentagon and the Department of Health and Human Services, among others.
Despite the possibility of a government shutdown, the administration has maintained that Americans will receive their tax refunds on time, regardless of what happens on Capitol Hill.
