The Internal Revenue Service is postponing the date for filing gift tax and generation-skipping transfer tax returns and making payments until July 15, 2020, because of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The IRS issued Notice 2020-20 on Friday, extending the relief it provided earlier this month on the tax-filing and payment dates for most other types of tax returns. The IRS also said the associated interest, additions to tax, and penalties for late filing or late payment will be suspended for the gift tax and generation-skipping transfer tax until July 15.
Terri Kallsen is a managing partner at Rise Growth Partners, a financial partner for middle-market RIAs, and was elected the 2025 CFP Board chair-elect.
Formerly, she was the COO of Wealth Enhancement Group leading advisor teams, platform/digital strategy and high net worth and trust services. Prior to WEG, she was executive vice president of Investor Services at Charles Schwab, leading 7,000 employees and $1.6 trillion in AUM. Her tenure at Charles Schwab was highlighted by multiple J.D. Power awards for client satisfaction.
Jeremy Thielen, CPA, PFS, is general partner of tax and wealth strategies of Thielen & Associates Inc.
Michael Bannon is vice president of CSG Partners, a leading ESOP investment banking practice. Since joining CSG in 2017, he has advised middle-market clients on a range of employee ownership transactions, including leveraged ESOP formations, M&A, and plan recapitalizations. Reach him at mbannon@csgpartners.com.
The relief is automatic and applies to any amounts due related to these types of returns. There’s no requirement to file for an extension and the three-month period between the original due date of April 15 and the new deadline of July 15 will be disregarded in terms of any interest, penalties or extra taxes for those who fail to file a Form 709 United States Gift and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Return by April 15.
Groups of tax and accounting professionals such as the American Institute of CPAs, the National Society of Accountants and the National Conference of CPA Practitioners have been pressing the IRS to provide additional forms of tax relief beyond the initial relief granted for tax payments from coronavirus victims.
