IRS postpones deadline for gift and GST taxes due to coronavirus

The Internal Revenue Service is postponing the date for filing gift tax and generation-skipping transfer tax returns and making payments until July 15 because of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

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.

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Viroshan Naicker

Dr. Viroshan Naicker is co-founder and CEO of Refiant. A mathematician by training, he holds a doctorate from the University of Johannesburg and lectured for six years before moving into industry. He co-founded Refiant in 2025 on the conviction that large models are inefficient by design and that better methods already exist in nature.

Crystal Darling

Crystal Darling serves as Senior Director of Retail Tech Services at ReSource Pro, bringing more than 28 years of comprehensive insurance industry expertise. Her career spans key roles across insurance agencies, carriers, and insurtech companies, providing her with a unique, 360-degree perspective on the industry's challenges and opportunities. 

 At ReSource Pro, Crystal partners with clients to unlock new growth opportunities and enhance operational efficiency through strategic technology solutions. Her hands-on approach and commitment to client success make her an invaluable resource for organizations looking to modernize their operations and achieve sustainable competitive advantages. 

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.

IRS-Building-light
The IRS headquarters building in Washington, D.C.
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