Picture copyright credit to original artist!

As millions of taxpayers are scrambling to file their 2017 taxes today…a IRS system shutdown this morning really threw a cyber monkey-wrench into what was an already stressful situation for most of us…

…and that includes us CPA bean-counters who were trying to file returns and extensions for our clients!

However, an hour ago, the IRS released the following Notice on IRS Newswire…granting taxpayers an EXTRA Day to file…through tomorrow, April 18, 2018.

You can read the full release here…so take a breath and carry on tax ninja!

Best, Debbie

NOTICE:  April 17, 2018  6:10pm

Issue Number:    IR-2018-100

Inside This Issue

IRS provides additional day to file and pay for taxpayers through Wednesday, April 18; IRS processing systems back online

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service announced today that it is providing taxpayers an additional day to file and pay their taxes following system issues that surfaced early on the April 17 tax deadline. Individuals and businesses with a filing or payment due date of April 17 will now have until midnight on Wednesday, April 18. Taxpayers do not need to do anything to receive this extra time.

The IRS encountered system issues Tuesday morning. Throughout the system outage, taxpayers were still able to file their tax returns electronically through their software providers and Free File. Taxpayers using paper to file and pay their taxes at the deadline were not affected by the system issue.

“This is the busiest tax day of the year, and the IRS apologizes for the inconvenience this system issue caused for taxpayers,” said Acting IRS Commissioner David Kautter. “The IRS appreciates everyone’s patience during this period. The extra time will help taxpayers affected by this situation.”

The IRS advised taxpayers to continue to file their taxes as normal Tuesday evening – whether electronically or on paper. Automatic six-month extensions are available to taxpayers who need additional time to file can visit https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/extension-of-time-to-file-your-tax-return.

UPDATE from IRS Newswire morning of 4-18-18 

Inside This Issue

IRS systems are back up and running; millions of tax returns accepted

Taxpayers have until midnight Wednesday to file their taxes

IR-2018-101, April 18, 2018

WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service said today the agency’s processing systems are fully back up and running.

As of 9 a.m. today, the IRS has accepted more than 14 million tax submissions since processing systems reopened following a Tuesday morning system outage caused by a hardware issue.

“IRS teams worked hard throughout the night,” Acting Commissioner David Kautter said. “We are back up and running. The overnight performance means that the IRS is current with all of the tax submissions, and no backlog remains.”

The IRS reminds taxpayers they have until Wednesday night to file and pay their taxes. As the midnight April 18 deadline approaches, the IRS reminds taxpayers that help is available at IRS.gov, including automatic six-month extensions to file.

“The IRS appreciates the patience from taxpayers as well as the help and support of the nation’s tax professionals and software transmitters during this period,” Kautter said.