IRS Income Tax deadline moved to July 15

ELLIS COUNTY – The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service announced yesterday the federal income tax filing due date has been extended from April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020.

While the income tax filing due date has been moved in years past such as when Emancipation Day affected the tax deadlines in 2017, 2016, 2012 and 2011 and the filing date was extended, this is the first extension of three months.

The decision came in order to offer United States taxpayers COVID-19 relief.

Taxpayers can defer federal income tax payments due on April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020, without penalties and interest, regardless of the amount owed.

This extension applies to all taxpayers, and that includes individuals, trusts and estates, corporations and other non-corporate tax filers as well as those who pay self-employment tax.

For taxpayers who do need extra time to file beyond July 15, 2020 they can request a filing extension by filing Form 4868 through their tax professional, tax software or using the Free File link on IRS.gov. Businesses who need additional time must file Form 7004.

If you need to have a refund coming, the IRS urges those taxpayers to file as soon as possible. Most tax refunds are still being issued within 21 days.

“Even with the filing deadline extended, we urge taxpayers who are owed refunds to file as soon as possible and file electronically,” said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig.

“Filing electronically with direct deposit is the quickest way to get refunds. Although we are curtailing some operations during this period, the IRS is continuing with mission-critical operations to support the nation, and that includes accepting tax returns and sending refunds. As a federal agency vital to the overall operations of our country, we ask for your personal support, your understanding – and your patience. I’m incredibly proud of our employees as we navigate through numerous different challenges in this very rapidly changing environment.”

According to a press release at the IRS website, this July 15, 2020 extension decision comes following the President’s emergency declaration pursuant to the Stafford Act.

“The Stafford Act is a federal law designed to bring an orderly and systematic means of federal natural disaster and emergency assistance for state and local governments in carrying out their responsibilities to aid citizens. It was enacted in 1988,” the press release said.