Washington, Feb 17, 2026, 08:15 EST
- The federal holiday closed IRS offices and phone lines, according to an IRS spokesperson. Operations resumed Tuesday.
- Expecting a crush of post-holiday phone calls, the agency is pushing taxpayers toward its online tools instead.
- Refund status tools update just once a day, even after an e-filed return gets accepted.
The IRS switched its offices and phone lines back on Tuesday, following a Presidents Day closure that left taxpayers scrambling for assistance in the thick of filing season. An agency spokesperson confirmed everything was shut down Monday, Feb. 16, then back to standard hours on Feb. 17. Nbcmiami
Why it matters now: Right after the holiday, questions on refunds, filing rules, and identity checks usually spike, often overwhelming the agency’s helplines. Throw in new tax provisions and a wave of early refund-seekers, and even minor hiccups can spiral into big delays.
Banks and U.S. stock markets were closed for Presidents Day on Monday, meaning a pile-up of standard transactions had to wait until Tuesday’s opening bell. Apnews
The IRS directs taxpayers to its “Where’s My Refund?” tool for updates, noting it refreshes daily, overnight. According to the agency, refund status is usually available within 24 hours after an e-filed current-year return is accepted. For paper filers, expect about a four-week wait. Irs
The IRS is telling taxpayers: wait until those tax documents arrive—W-2s, 1099s, the whole stack—before filing. These forms cover not just wage earnings, but non-wage pieces like interest, unemployment benefits, some gig jobs. Details at Irs
“Don’t wait until the last minute but also don’t rush,” said Tom O’Saben, director of tax content and government relations at the National Association of Tax Professionals. Miguel Burgos, a certified public accountant and TurboTax expert, pointed out that the so-called “no tax on tips” rule is narrower than many believe: “It has to be voluntary (tips),” he said. Apnews
The IRS helpline is usually available weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. Still, according to NBC, people reaching out in the two weeks after Presidents Day should be ready for extended wait times.
But convenience can come at a cost. Scammers typically get more aggressive around filing season, and the IRS warns it never initiates contact via email or social media. A sudden message with a link or a request for personal information? That’s a red flag. Irs
There’s another catch—if you file “fast” but your forms show up late or need changes, it can cost you. Missing an income document? That’s a recipe for refund holdups, amended returns, or an IRS notice that drags the process out.
