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For millions of early filers this could put a hold on their plans  which are based off the early retrieval of their tax refunds. The government was scheduled to start processing returns as early as Jan. 21 but with a scheduled budget talk in January there is potential that the government could shutdown again and refunds held even longer.

Even though the IRS is scheduled to start tax season late taxpayers are still expected to file a return by April 15 and companies are expected to comply with the Jan. 31 deadline.

Acting IRS head Danny Werfel said the delay is due to system updates that the IRS was unable to complete during the shutdown. According to the Washington Post  Werfel said Tuesday,

“Readying our systems to handle the tax season is an intricate, detailed process, and we must take the time to get it right,” Werfel said. “The adjustment to the start of the filing season provides us the necessary time to program, test and validate our systems so that we can provide a smooth filing and refund process for the nation’s taxpayers.”

This is the second year that the IRS has pushed the date back. For more information visit USA Today .

Reach Managing Editor Jacqueline Jackson here. Follow her here.