Business opportunity and other small business owners who were hoping to get a jump on filing their taxes this year will have to wait a bit. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced that, due to the recent government shutdown, there will be a one to two-week delay to the start of the 2014 tax-filing season.

While the IRS is doing everything it can to make up for lost time, it anticipates that returns will be accepted no earlier than January 28, but no later than February 4, as opposed to the originally intended start date of January 21. Unfortunately, “the government closure came during the peak period for preparing IRS systems for (this year’s) filing season,” the IRS said in a recent statement. “Updating these core systems is a complex, year-round process with the majority of the work beginning in the fall of each year…we must take time to get it right.”

The exact final and delayed start date for the 2014 season will be announced in December. However, despite the lag time in the IRS’ ability to process returns, the April 15 tax deadline—given that it is set by statute—remains very much in place.

For the latest news and information regarding the government shutdown and its effects on you as a business opportunity or other small business owner and your ability to file your taxes this tax season, go to https://www.irs.gov/Filing 24/7/365!