Overview

• The IRS said the furlough began Oct. 8 because federal appropriations lapsed during the ongoing government shutdown.
• Employees were told to report for their next scheduled shift and had up to four hours to wrap up tasks before receiving furlough notices.
• All workers are impacted except those specifically notified as excepted employees, and an emergency hotline was activated for staff guidance.
• Local reporting in Jacksonville described abrupt office closures and limited information, with some workers told to pack their belongings and go home.
• The disruption hits an agency already reduced by layoffs and buyouts earlier in 2025, heightening concerns about processing delays and enforcement capacity.