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
Will Gow

Will Gow, Global Head of Claims and Coverage at Brecon Specialty, leads the firm's global technical claims and coverage strategy. He has a particular focus on cyber, technology, and specialty lines. Will formerly served as International Cyber Technical Director and Head of Cyber & Technology Risks at Crawford & Company. Previously, he was Head of Cyber, Digital Assets and Financial Lines at QuestGates. He is dual-qualified as a solicitor and loss adjuster and brings extensive experience in international claims, insurance litigation and cyber and technology risks, combining technical expertise with senior leadership experience. Will also chairs CILA's Cyber & Technology Special Interest Group and advises industry bodies including the IIL and BIBA. He co-authored a book published by the CII on digital assets and insurance. In addition, he works with law enforcement, advocating and training nationally.

Patrice Onwuka is the vice president for economic policy and director of the Center for Economic Opportunity at Independent Women.

Kent Amarante of VRC

Kent Amarante, ASA, MRICS, is senior vice president, machinery & equipment, at Valuation Research Corporation. He is part of the tangible assets valuation group and specializes in valuations of machinery and equipment and real property assets. With more than 20 years in the appraisal industry, his experience includes valuations for bankruptcy, estate tax planning, financing, purchase price allocation, and tax.

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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