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

Taylor Lindsey is a partner with Employee Benefit Consultants.

Bryan Cannon, CFP, is CEO and chief portfolio strategist at Cannon Advisors. A seasoned stock market technical analyst with over 25 years of investment and financial planning experience, he serves as the host of Markets ‘N5, a biweekly video series focused on analyzing market trends based on technical analysis. Cannon’s career covers a diverse range of investment and securities experience, ranging from financial and estate planning for high- and ultra-high-net-worth families, as well as senior and partner roles with both the big Wall Street firms and smaller boutique firms.

Kristina Wallender is chief experience officer at Human Interest, a leading 401(k) account provider for small to medium-sized businesses. Her mission is to create a more empowered world by helping others take control of their financial future. Previously she has served as the head of marketing for RealtyShares, a real estate investment platform with $870 million invested, and Ticketfly, a live events platform serving more than 1,800 venues. Kristina received her MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

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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