The IRS building in Washington, D.C., caught fire Monday after a transformer malfunction in the basement of the property, but despite closing for repairs Tuesday, the IRS wants everyone to know taxes are still due.
The building initially closed at 2:45 p.m. because of electrical issues with the air circulation system, however most employees were still in the building. The fire erupted at roughly 3:30 p.m., reportedly filling the surrounding area with smoke. Officials evacuated the building and no injuries were reported. Due to necessary repairs including restoring power, the IRS building remains closed, reports WJLA.
The tax season is in full swing and many were wondering if the fire would impact tax filings, something the IRS preemptively sought to clarify. Taxes are due in two weeks and the fire will not change anything, as tax returns are not processed through the D.C. office. All other IRS offices remain open and employees from the Washington headquarters are working remotely.
“The IRS reminds taxpayers this building does not affect tax return filing or processing,” an IRS spokesman said in a statement. “Tax return processing is not handled in the headquarters building. IRS employees who are telework-ready should plan on working remotely. Other IRS offices in the Washington metro area and other parts remain in operation and are not affected.”
The cause of the fire is still being investigated. Streets in all directions around the building were closed following the blaze but have since reopened. Roughly 2,000 people work in the D.C. IRS office but officials say there were less than 1,000 people in the building when the fire broke out, as many workers left over the electrical issues, reports NBC Washington.
Taxes are usually due April 15 but events in Washington are giving people a few extra days to make the deadline. The city will be celebrating its Emancipation Day holiday the 15th, so tax returns are not due to the IRS until April 18.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.