IRS CEO reveals whether taxpayers will still get refunds if government shuts down
IRS Commissioner Frank Bisignano told Fox News’ Aishah Hasnie that another government shutdown will not affect refund assessments.
Americans will be getting their refund checks no matter what, according to IRS CEO and Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano, who said the likely government shutdown will not affect refunds.
When asked if the shutdown would likely affect Americans’ tax return assessments, Bisignano told Fox News’ Aishah Hasnie “no way.”
“We’ll be in. We’ve been locked up for 43 days,” Bisignano said. “Our people will be there. These are incredible workers who serve the American public. And that was true for Social Security. All of our offices are open, and we’re doing everything we can for our people who were having a hard time because it was a Democratic shutdown, and we shouldn’t have another one.”
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also expressed optimism about the coming refund, saying it could be “huge.”
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IRS Commissioner and Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano said Americans will get their tax refunds on time even if the government shuts down. (Juanmonino via Getty Images)
“We announced that tax season is open. And we are [going to] see a massive refund for working Americans,” Bessent said during an appearance on “Hannity.” “They’re right [going to] change their holdings and have a big take-home pay every two weeks, every month. So, it’s a really exciting time. “
Congress faces a deadline of Jan. 30 funding and Democrats have yet to budge on the funding package beyond the Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2026. This bill, one of six in the funding package, would provide funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
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IRS chief Frank Bisignano says Americans will get their tax refunds even if the government shuts down, stressing that a delay is unlikely. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent added that the coming refunds could be substantial. (Stock)
Democrats were already hesitant to support the DHS bill, but the shooting death of Alex Pretti, 37, in Minnesota, intensified the battle with the department and the organization to block the bill. Previously, Democrats reached an understanding with Senate Republicans on the issue, placing several restrictions on the agency and the use of ICE in months of negotiations. However, Pretti’s death changed that, forcing Democrats to reject the bill.
Several Democrats have called on President Donald Trump to fire DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, and House Democrats have threatened impeachment. The White House stood behind Noem and the president said the DHS secretary is doing “a great job.”
As Congress faces a closing deadline, IRS officials say taxpayers will still get their refunds on time. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent added that the refund could be substantial despite the funding dispute. (Al Drago/Getty Images)
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If lawmakers can’t reach an agreement and a partial shutdown is in place, 78% of the federal government will lack the money it needs to operate. The package, made up of six bills and containing a total spending of $1.2 trillion, will not only provide funding for DHS, but also the Pentagon and the Department of Health and Human Services, among other programs and departments.
Despite the possibility of a government shutdown, the administration has maintained that Americans will get their tax refunds on time regardless of what happens on Capitol Hill.
Alex Miller of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
