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
Dorothy Kelly, Verisk

Dorothy Kelly, AVP, leads product management within Verisk’s personal auto underwriting division and is part of a team helping insurers achieve profitable growth through data, analytics, and innovative underwriting tools. She has held leadership and executive roles within claims, underwriting, product management, and business development across personal and commercial lines, including co-founding a successful insurance services startup.

Jessica Mason is the senior policy analyst and engagement manager for workplace programs at the National Partnership for Women & Families, where she oversees in-house research and data analysis, tracks developments in academic and other research and develops advocacy resources related to the workplace and economic security agenda. She also helps find ways to engage with current and new allies in this work.

As an Associate of Data, Analysis, and Reporting, Jess McKay uses her background in quantitative social policy research to support the Financial Health Network’s data and research goals. She believes that improving the financial health of individuals and communities is crucial for building an economy that works for all people.

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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