Tax Season 2020: Everything You Need to Know About Deferral

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has extended the deadline for filing tax returns and paying any taxes from April 15 to July 15, writes GOBankingRates. If you plan on taking a respite, that’s all you need to know.

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Individual applicants may request an additional extension

Individual applicants who will not be able to submit documents before the new deadline still have the right to request an additional extension. To extend the deadline until October 15, you will need to fill out form 4868. You can submit a document through your tax specialist, tax software, or using the Free File on IRS.gov.

You do not need to request an extension until July 15

The 2019 tax deadline has been automatically extended to July 15th for all individuals, trusts and corporations. The new deadline is automatic—you don't need to file any additional forms or call the IRS.

Deadline July 15 applies only to federal income taxes.

The new deadline is important for paying federal income taxes—it does not apply to income taxes you may owe to your state. Deadlines vary from state to state, so be sure to check with your state tax office for the correct deadline.

The new deadline gives you 3 extra months to use the money

If you owe IRS money, you now have extra time to use these funds on your own.

“The extra three months will provide time to invest or use that money for other needs,” said Mark Wieder, co-leader of the real estate group at accounting firm Anchin, Block & Anchin.

This can be especially useful for those left without work.

The ability to pay taxes later may be especially useful for those who have lost their jobs or have faced wage cuts due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“Delaying filing and paying taxes for 90 days can be a big help for many people, especially if you were laid off or have financial problems,” said Miguel Horvath, CFP, MSF, a private wealth advisor at Ameriprise in Miami.

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This gives you extra time to figure out how to file your electronic declaration.

“In today's new world of social distancing and virtual meetings, some people who are not tech-savvy may need extra time to figure out how to send information to their tax preparer electronically,” Horvath said.

It’s in your best interest to file your tax return earlier.

“There is no reason to put off preparing your tax return,” said Gary Duboff, director of tax and accounting at MBAF. If you need a tax refund, the sooner you file, the better. If you owe money, you can file now and pay your tax bill on July 15 without interest, penalties or other penalties. If anything, this is a great time to focus, gather information, and send it to your tax professional.”

In any case, the tax refund will be within 90 days after filing

The sooner you apply, the sooner you will receive a refund, but the deadlines for receipt are likely to remain the same.

“The IRS typically issues refunds within 90 days of receiving your tax return,” Wieder said. “I assume this will not change: if you apply before July, you will receive your refund earlier.”

If circumstances have changed, expectation may mean less financial assistance.

Federal Coronavirus Financial Assistance, which the US Treasury sends to all relevant taxpayers, is based on your individual tax returns for 2019. If you have not filed your tax return for 2019, the payment will be based on your tax return for 2018.

“In most cases, this amount will likely be the same since your income, filing status and household likely have not changed,” Duboff said. — However, if your income is dramatically different, your filing status has changed, or you had a child in 2019, the payment may be more or less than on a 2018 return. If you haven't received your check yet, it's not too late to file your 2019 taxes and get your proper payment."

However, if you have already received the check based on the tax return of 2018 and in the end you will receive a different amount, you will receive the difference next year.

“In the event that the final payment is different, a reconciliation will be made in the form of a credit when you file your 2020 tax return,” Duboff said.

The extension includes your estimated tax payments for the 1st and 2nd quarters of 2020

“An extension is not just a later date to file a return, but a later date to pay,” Duboff said. — Most importantly, the extension also includes tax payments for the first and second quarters of 2020, which were due on April 15 and June 15. Failure to make these payments by July 15 will not incur any interest or penalty.”

The new term also applies to real estate and gift tax returns.

Other forms and terms of payment of taxes were extended

According to Bill Smith, managing director of the CBIZ MHM National Tax Office, the July 15 deadline now applies to a number of forms.

“For example, international forms such as Forms 5471 and 3520, which are information returns rather than income tax returns, have also been expanded,” he said. — Transactions of equal exchange must be completed within 180 days from the date of sale of exchange real estate. With the coronavirus shutting down all real estate transactions, people doing these exchanges didn't know if the 180 day deadline would be extended since it's not a tax return. Likewise, investment of capital gains in a Qualified Opportunity Zone fund must occur within 180 days of the sale of the asset. The IRS has extended both of these deadlines until July 15, along with numerous others.”

But some deadlines did not extend

The July 15 deadline does not apply to excise taxes and returns — such as Form 1099 — and some payroll taxes, The Wall Street Journal reported.

IRA fee deadline also extended

The IRS also extended the term for contributions to the traditional IRA, Roth IRA, Health Savings Account, and Archer MSA until July 15.

“This gives you another 90 days to find money to contribute to your IRA for 2019,” Horvath said. “Not only will it help you save on taxes, but it will also help you in retirement, which is a win all around.”

Checks will also be delayed.

If you are afraid that tax officials might check you, you have three more months to put your documents in order. The Wall Street Journal reported that the IRS, as a rule, will not begin new inspections and will suspend personal meetings with taxpayers who are under investigation until July 15.

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Other measures suspended

In late March, the IRS launched the People First initiative to facilitate regulatory compliance. Changes include the suspension of payments under installment agreements from April 1 to July 15 and the suspension of the seizure of property based on collateral and fees for the same time period.

Renewal applies to early withdrawal fines

If you used an early withdrawal from your retirement account in 2019, you now have a deadline of July 15 to pay any fines.

Until July 15, you need to apply for a refund of unclaimed taxes from 2016 and later

Americans who have not filed tax returns in previous years may miss unclaimed tax refunds. Taxpayers usually have a three-year opportunity to claim a tax refund. For tax returns in 2016, the window closes on July 15, 2020.

You must not miss the deadline of July 15

Although using an additional 90 days is perfectly normal, Duboff does not recommend submitting documents later than July 15, 2020.

“If you are able to complete your returns before July 15, you will be in a better position,” he said. — The added three months will give tax authorities more time to process documents. There will be a lot of pressure on accountants and tax preparers to get the job done, forcing them to work to much shorter and tighter deadlines than usual.”

If you miss a new deadline and do not apply for an extension, pay a fine

“We encourage customers to file their taxes on time—July 15 for individuals or October 15 with an extended filing deadline,” said Mike Savage, CEO of 1-800Accountant. “The fines for violations are quite significant.”

Even if you cannot pay all your debts on time, you still have to file your documents on time.

“There are repayment options such as installments,” Savage said.

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