On March 25, 2020, the IRS released a set of questions and answers on the recently-extended federal income tax filing and payment deadline. The release was designed to assist taxpayers and tax professionals in understanding the scope and impact of the extension.
As background, in Notice 2020-18, the IRS announced special federal income tax return filing and payment relief in response to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency. This relief extended the federal income tax filing deadline from April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020.
The new guidance explains that any type of taxpayer, such as an individual, a trust, an estate, a corporation, or any type of unincorporated business entity, with a return or payment due on April 15, 2020, is eligible for the relief. (The taxpayer does not need to have been impacted by COVID-19 in any particular way.) Additionally, the relief extends to both 2019 federal income tax payments (including payments of tax on self-employment income) and 2020 estimated federal income tax payments due on April 15, 2020. However, normal filing, payment, and deposit due dates continue to apply to both payroll and excise taxes.
As a result of the extended filing deadline, taxpayers now also have until July 15, 2020, to make 2019 contributions to their HSAs and IRAs. Employers with April 15, 2020, filing deadlines may also have additional time to make 2019 contributions to certain workplace retirement plans.
Employers may find these questions and answers helpful in understanding the details and effects of the available tax relief. The IRS has indicated the material will be updated periodically in this changing environment. These questions and answers are accessible at the below link:
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