COVID-19 Update #1 - IRS Return Filing & Payment Obligations

At the writing of this post, life has taken a sharp turn from "normal" for everyone across the world.  Adjusting to COVID-19 requires most of us to adjust every facet of life from the way we work, to the way we shop, to the way we worship and the way we socialize.  This post is the first in a series that is geared to keep the nonprofit community up to date in the tax and accounting changes that may be affecting or will affect your organizations and employees in the coming days. 

Return Due Dates

All federal income tax returns due on April 15, 2020 have been automatically extended to July 15, 2020.  There is no need to file Form 4868 or Form 7004 to extend these returns.  This extension covers all individuals and corporations.  However, nonprofit organizations should note that it does not cover information returns.  Therefore, nonprofit organizations filing Form 990 must adhere to the original filing deadlines.  However, Form 990-T is an income tax return and it has been extended.  Additionally, for income tax returns applicable to fiscal years ending in 2019, if a return's original due date or extended due date is April 15, 2020, the due date is extended to July 15, 2020. 

Income Tax Payments

2019 payments of income taxes as well as first quarter federal estimated income tax payments have been extended to July 15, 2020. Please note:  the quarterly estimated tax payment due June 15, 2020 has not been extended.  (Although, one of my creative practitioner friends pointed out that you can make your first quarter estimated tax payment at July 15th large enough to cover the second quarter payment and technically, alleviate the need for a second quarter payment at June 15th.) 

Please see upcoming updates in this series regarding the various benefits provided through recent legislation.