Why this matters for drivers and fleets
Overnight mainstay Red Eye Radio devoted its October 1 program to the fresh federal government shutdown, zeroing in on what a lapse means for agencies owners and fleet managers touch every quarter: the IRS and Small Business Administration. The show, hosted by Gary McNamara and Eric Harley and long aimed at long‑haul truckers, highlighted potential service slowdowns at both agencies and framed what to watch while Congress haggles. The program is the successor to the Midnight Trucking Radio Network and runs weeknights from midnight to 5 a.m. CT.
IRS: What’s running right now
As of Wednesday, October 1, the IRS says it will continue operating through midnight Tuesday, October 7 under prior-year funding. Offices remain open, online tools are live, and taxpayers should keep meeting filing and payment obligations as usual. For owner‑operators making estimated payments or handling payroll taxes, that means business as usual—for now.
Internally, the IRS has told employees they’re exempt from furlough for the first five business days of the lapse, a signal that service levels could change if the shutdown extends beyond October 7. Plan accordingly for potential longer phone waits and slower correspondence after next week.
One more wrinkle worth planning for this fall: the IRS is phasing out paper refund checks for individual taxpayers starting September 30, 2025, accelerating the push to electronic payments. If your business relies on a mailed refund to cover quarterly expenses, switch to direct deposit now to avoid delays.
- Keep filing and paying on time; electronic filing and EFTPS remain available.
- Expect normal operations through Oct. 7; build in buffer time if the lapse continues afterward.
- If you’re in a federally declared disaster area, check whether IRS deadlines have been postponed and adjust cash flow plans accordingly.
SBA: What’s paused, what may proceed
SBA’s official plan for a lapse in appropriations allows only “excepted” functions to continue (for example, activities necessary to protect government property such as loan collateral). Most non‑excepted operations—including approvals of new 7(a) and 504 loans—are paused until a funding bill or continuing resolution is signed. For carriers banking on an SBA‑backed truck or shop loan this month, expect delays.
That’s consistent with what lenders are telling small‑business clients this week: no new SBA loan approvals can be issued during the shutdown, though previously approved loans may still fund and some 504 debentures that were already cleared can move ahead. Borrowers must continue making payments on existing SBA loans.
- If your 7(a) or 504 application is in the pipeline without a loan number, use the downtime to finalize financials, equipment quotes, and insurance so you can move fast when approvals resume.
- If your loan is already approved, confirm with your lender whether funding and closing can proceed.
- Explore backup financing for urgent equipment needs—short‑term facilities, vendor programs, or non‑SBA products—while comparing total cost of capital.
Bottom line—and where to keep listening
The shutdown’s first‑week impact is limited at the IRS but could intensify after October 7 if funding still isn’t restored. SBA loan approvals are on hold across much of the market until the government reopens. For midnight‑to‑dawn road warriors, Red Eye Radio will keep tracking the policy angles with overnight weather, headlines, and trucking‑centric features like its “Extra Mile” segments and Million Mile Club. It’s a useful companion for staying ahead of shifting rules while you’re on the clock.
Sources Consulted: Apple Podcasts (Red Eye Radio); Red Eye Radio official site; Internal Revenue Service; U.S. Small Business Administration; CDC Small Business Finance.
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This article was prepared exclusively for truckstopinsider.com. For professional tax advice, consult a qualified professional.
