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
Tom McFarland

Tom McFarland leads Novidea's UK product roadmap and business analysis function. Through his industry expertise, close relationship with existing clients and engagement with prospects, Tom ensures the delivery and ongoing enhancement of Novidea's platform provides added value to brokers and MGAs. Tom holds strong partnerships within the insurtech community, enabling practitioners to benefit from a connected insurance ecosystem. Having spent time in operations roles within Specialty Broking and Delegated Authority, Tom's comprehensive understanding of the challenges at each stage of the insurance value chain ensures that the Novidea platform solves the challenges of today and prevents the problems of tomorrow. Tom is keen to drive transformation across the industry, particularly within the Specialty and Lloyd's markets, where there is enormous opportunity for technological modernisation and adoption.

Theo Ellis.png

Theo Ellis is CEO and co-founder of mortgage technology company Friday Harbor.

Omuso D. George is president and CEO of the Association of Military Banks of America. He is a retired U.S. Army brigadier general.

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.

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The IRS headquarters building in Washington, D.C.
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