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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Beth Bafford is vice president, syndications and strategy, at Calvert Impact Capital.

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Jeffrey S. Luechtefeld is a shareholder in the Tax Controversy and Litigation Section of Chamberlain, Hrdlicka, White, Williams, and Aughtry in Atlanta, Georgia. Luechtefeld's practice focuses on resolving tax disputes with the Internal Revenue Service, administratively or through litigation. He previously was a special trial attorney for the IRS Office of Chief Counsel as well as a regional leader of the tax controversy practice for a big four accounting firm. Luechtefeld can be reached at 404.658.5462 or jeff.luechtefeld@chamberlainlaw.com.

As Vice President, Decision Science and AI at RGA, Petr Vaclav leads data analytics, machine learning (ML), and artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives for business units, clients, ventures, and acquisitions across RGA's Europe, Middle East, and Africa region.

An expert in data science, he specializes in digital distribution, bancassurance, predictive underwriting, and other topics and serves as a bridge between the reinsurer's Global Data and Analytics team, its internal and external clients, and partners.

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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