COVID-19 Tax News and Frequently Asked Questions

More Extended Tax Deadlines to Cover Individuals, Trusts, Estates,
Corporations and Others (IR-2020-66)

Extensions generally now apply to all taxpayers that have a filing or payment deadline falling on or after April 1, 2020, and before July 15, 2020. Individuals, trusts, estates, corporations and other non-corporate tax filers quality for extra time. This means that anyone, including Americans who live and work abroad, can now wait until July 15 to file their 2019 federal income tax return and pay any tax due.

More information on the impacts of COVID-19 on taxes and frequently asked questions can be found below.

Overview of Extensions Granted to July 15, 2020

Type of Tax ReturnForms(s)
Individual/Married Tax Return and PaymentForm 1040, 1040-SR, 1040-NR, 1040-NR-EZ, 1040-PR, 1040-SS
Trusts and Estates Tax Return and PaymentForm 1041, 104 1-N, 104 1-QFT
Partnership ReturnsForm 1065; Form 1066
Corporation Tax Return and PaymentForm 1120, 1120-C, 1120-F, 1120-FSC, 1120-H, 1120-L, 1120-ND, 1120-PC, 1120-POL, 1120-REIT, 1120-RIC,1120-S, 1120-SF
United States Estate and Generation- Skipping Transfer Tax Return and PaymentForm 706; 706-NA, 706-A, 706-QDT, 706-GS(T), 706-GS(D), 706-GS(D-1)
Information Regarding Beneficiaries Acquiring Property from a DecedentForm 8971
United States Gift and Generation- Skipping Transfer Tax Return and PaymentForm 709
Exempt Organization Business Income Tax Return and PaymentForm 990-T
Excise Tax Payments on Investment Income and PaymentForm 990-PF; Form 4720
Quarterly Estimated Income Tax PaymentsForm 990-W; Form 1040-ES; 1040 -ES (NR), 1040-ES (PR) ; Form 1041 -ES; Form 1120-W
Return of Organization Exempt from Income TaxForm 990
Annual Return/Report of Employee Benefit Plan2Form 5500

Frequently Asked Questions

The IRS has additional FAQs on filing and payment deadlines. (IRS Resource)

IRS Unveils New People First Initiative (IR-2020-59)

The IRS is postponing certain payments related to installment agreements and offers in compromise and limiting certain enforcement actions. The IRS has also released installment agreement direct debit FAQs.

FATCA Information Returns (IRS Resource)

The IRS granted an extension from March 31, 2020, to July 15, 2020, to file Form 8966, FATCA Report, for Reporting Model 2 Financial Institutions and Participating Foreign Financial Institutions. U.S. persons w ho have an interest of more than $10,000 in foreign financial accounts at any time during the
calendar year must file FinCEN Report 114, Report of Foreign Bonk and Financial Accounts/FBAR). Failure to do so can result in a penalty per form. FBARs are still due April 15, 2020, but a taxpayer who fails to timely file will automatically receive an extension to October 15, 2020.

State Tax Filing Guidance (AICPA Resource)

AICPA chart that is tracking summaries of states filing relief.

FFCRA and Payroll Tax Credits

COVID-19 Payroll Tax Credits Available (IR-2020-57)

Small and midsize employers can begin taking advantage of two new refundable payroll tax credits designed to immediately and fully reimburse them, dollar-for-dollar, for the cost of providing COVID-19-related leave to their employees. This relief to employees and small and midsize businesses is provided under the Families First Coronovirus Response Act (FFCRA).

Employee Retention Credit Available for Many Businesses (IR-2020-62)

The employee retention credit is designed to encourage businesses to keep employees on their payroll. The refundable tax credit is 50% of up to $10,000 in wages paid by an eligible employer whose business has been financially impacted by COVID-19.

CARES Act and Economic Impact Payments

CARES Act Summary (NATP Resource)

NATP summary of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES).

Economic Impact Payments: What You Need to Know (IR-2020-61)

Details from the Treasury Department and the IRS on the distribution of the economic impact payments. Includes a note that Social Security beneficiaries who are not typically required file tax returns will not need to file an abbreviated tax return to receive an economic impact payment. Instead, payments will automatically be deposited into their bank accounts.

Tool for Non-Filers to Register for Payments (IRS Resource)

The IRS launched a new web tool allowing quick registration for economic impact payments for those who don’t normally file a tax return.

Get My Payment Tool (IRS Resource)

This tool shows where and when the economic impact payment was delivered. An additional feature on Get My Payment allows eligible people a chance to provide their bank account information so they can receive their payment more quickly rather than waiting for a paper check. This feature will be unavailable if the economic impact payment has already been scheduled for delivery.

Other Notes Regarding Payments

The first round of payments has started to be deposited. The economic impact payment will be reconciled on the 2020 tax return in the form of refundable credit that is not taxable income.

We Do Not Have Answers for the Following Items:

  • Will the IRS use the direct deposit information on file at the Social Security Administration to deposit the economic impact payment to Social Security recipients who file a return but have a balance due and didn’t include banking information on their return? (however, you’ ll be able to see this on the Get My Payment tool)
  • Is there a cut-off date to file a 2019 return so the I RS has the most current information for issuing the economic impact payment?
  • What happens when a married couple divorces, but the entire economic impact payment is deposited into an account the other spouse can no longer access?
  • Will the IRS crossmatch returns filed by dependents so they are not issued an economic impact payment?
  • How will the IRS combat fraud so economic impact payments be not issued to identity thieves?

We also have two videos available on YouTube that discuss various taxpayer case studies relating to the economic impact payment.

Part 1
Part 2

These cases are also available for download.

Other IRS Guidance and Notes

Fax Certain Forms 1139 and 1045 (IRS Resource)

The IRS is implementing the temporary procedures to described below for digital transmission of Form 1139 and Form 1045 to claim quick refunds of the credit for prior year minimum tax liability of corporations and NOL deductions.

Guidance under the CARES Act to Taxpayers with Net Operating Losses (IR-2020-67)

IRS issued guidance providing tax relief under the CARES Act for taxpayers with net operating losses. Recently the IRS issued tax relief for partnerships filing amended returns.

HDHPs can Pay for Testing and Treatment (IR-2020-54)

High-deductible health plans (HDHPs) can pay for COVID-19-related testing and treatment, without jeopardizing their status. This also means that an individual with an HDHP that covers these costs may continue to contribute to a health savings accounts (HSA).

Coronavirus Tax Relief (IRS Resource)

The IRS has established a special section focused on steps to help taxpayers, businesses and others affected by the coronavirus.

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