India, Jan. 29 -- The IRS tax season is here, and so is the uncertainty around refunds. This comes as Washington is edging closer to a potential government shutdown, one that could disrupt IRS operations just as millions of Americans are preparing to file.

The Internal Revenue Service began accepting federal tax returns on Monday, January 26, officially opening the 2025-26 filing season. But with lawmakers facing a January 30 deadline to pass federal funding legislation, key IRS functions, including return processing and refunds, could be slowed or temporarily halted if the government shuts down.

The timing is especially concerning for taxpayers eager for refunds. According to an Intuit Credit Karma survey, 52% of Americans expect to re...