A Cheyenne accountant and tax preparer says a federal government shutdown if it happens could delay some tax refunds this year.

Gabriel Piña is the owner of Piña Business Services in Cheyenne. He says that during government shutdowns during tax season, IRS personnel who work directly with tax returns and processing refunds are typically classified as ''essential personnel" and continue working.

But he says some refunds, especially from people claiming an Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, or American Opportunity Tax Credit, could be delayed. Piña says those particular returns are already on delayed status because of the volume of those returns.

But Piña also cautions that the exact impact of a potential shutdown on tax returns and refunds won't be known for sure until it actually happens, if and when it does.

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