The IRS said it was firing people it deemed not "critical" to tax filing season. Employees said the cuts would affect tax returns and enforcement.

Those concerns are valid according to accountants, who are strongly advising people to file early this year, as they could encounter delays, particularly as they get closer to the filing deadline. The Internal Revenue Service began accepting tax returns on Jan. 27 and will continue to do so until April 15, unless a taxpayer asks for an extension.