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.

CORONAVIRUS IMPACT: ADDITIONAL COVERAGE

Jordan Zaslav is the chief operating officer at Axios HQ.

With over 20 years of leadership in the insurance industry, including roles at Lloyd's of London, AIG, and Zurich, Jane Veeder is a seasoned expert in underwriting, marketing, and client relationship management. As Director of insurance Solutions at CYGNVS, she partners closely with clients to tailor solutions that meet their policyholders' unique needs.

Stephanie Low

Stephanie Low is a Commercial Lines P&C Marketing Specialist for Acrisure Great Lakes. She is a dedicated insurance industry professional passionate about making a difference for Acrisure's clients and helping her team succeed. Stephanie has been in the insurance industry for nearly a decade and is specialized in market knowledge and connection to write Small and Middle Market Business. She is licensed in P&C, Life and is Flood Certified.

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.
Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg