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
Highlights of Priority Loan Facility under Fed's Main Street Lending Program
Allissa Kline
May 4, 2020 2:26 PM

The Fed has tweaked its Main Street Lending Program to stir more enthusiasm, including the creation of a third financing option for larger companies. Will it make a difference?

6 Min Read
AICPA CEO and president Barry Melancon addressing the 2018 Engage event
Daniel Hood
May 4, 2020 2:20 PM

Leaders from the AICPA share details of firms’ struggles, and the work the profession is doing to mitigate the economic effect of the coronavirus.

6 Min Read
Shamis-Gary-Winding River Consulting

Gary Shamis is the CEO of Winding River Consulting, an advisory firm serving the accounting profession that works with managing partners and growth leaders at Top 500 accounting firms on strategy, private equity, M&A, leadership, and digital growth. 

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.
Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg