About 800,000 federal employees and contractors have felt the sting of the government shutdown, juggling bills and hoping that cooler heads prevail in Washington. Meanwhile, economists are estimating how the shutdown might affect overall growth.

“This shutdown could shave approximately $1.2 billion off real GDP in the quarter for each week that part of the government is closed,” according to Beth Ann Bovino, chief U.S. economist at S&P.

The shutdown has a double-whammy effect: Those affected do not spend and the government itself will reduce purchases for products and services. On top of that, some consumers will not be able to secure federally backed loans and companies will have to wait to go public until the Security and Exchange Commission reopens.

As a result, first quarter growth could slow by 0.25-0.50 percent to 2.25-2.5 percent, a far cry from the peak growth seen during Q2 2018, when the economy expanded at a 4.2 percent clip.

Adding to the murkiness: With many agencies shuttered, it will be tougher to gauge the nation’s progress. Although the Labor Department and Federal Reserve are both open for business, the Census Bureau is not, which means that housing, manufacturing and trade data is on ice.

Additionally, the Bureau of Economic Analysis, which is housed under the Commerce Department, is closed. That means the first estimates of fourth-quarter and full-year 2018 gross domestic product could be delayed beyond the scheduled release date of Jan. 30.

Meanwhile, the IRS is working with a diminished staff, but has stated that the tax-filing deadline remains in place (the only exception is for those victims of federally declared disaster areas).

Hundreds of IRS workers dealing with financial hardship were given permission to miss work during the shutdown, which could slow the government’s ability to process taxpayer refunds, The Washington Post reported.

In the midst of all this chaos, it's easy to forget something important when doing your taxes. Tax identity theft happens when someone uses your Social Security number to file a tax return claiming a fraudulent refund. Some taxpayers discover that they are victims when they e-file and learn that a return has already has been filed, while others are notified by the IRS.

And remember: The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email to request personal or financial information. Also, no one from the federal agency will ever call to demand immediate payment using a method such as a prepaid debit card, gift card or wire transfer. Generally, the IRS will first mail a bill to any taxpayer who owes taxes.

As you prepare for the upcoming tax season, the IRS offers these important tips:

Use security software with firewall and anti-virus protections and set strong passwords.

Learn to recognize and avoid phishing emails, threatening calls and texts from thieves posing as legitimate organizations such as your bank, credit card companies and even the IRS.

Do not click on links or download attachments from unknown or suspicious emails.

Protect your personal information and that of any dependents. Don't routinely carry SS cards, and make sure your tax records are secure.

Finally, report suspicious online or emailed phishing scams to: phishing@irs.gov. For phone, fax or mail scams, call 1800-366-4484.

Jill Schlesinger, CFP, is a CBS News business analyst. A former options trader and CIO of an investment advisory firm, she welcomes comments and questions at askjill@jillonmoney.com.