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

Joanna Nicholas is counsel in Mayer Brown’s New York office and a member of the Banking & Finance practice. She focuses on securitization and structured finance transactions with an emphasis on CLO transactions and mortgage related facilities of residential mortgage loans.

Kevin Robertson is the executive managing director and chief growth officer at HSA Bank, a leading provider of health savings accounts. Kevin serves as chairman of the American Bankers Association HSA Council. Kevin has 30 years of experience in banking, insurance and financial services, covering a diverse spectrum of employee benefits and insurance products and services.

In addition to his years of experience in leading business groups and managing growth organizations, he has a diverse background in operations, as well as legislative and regulatory affairs. As a frequently published author and sought-after speaker, Kevin is a recognized expert and well-known figure in the consumer-directed healthcare industry.

Sue Steel is the executive vice president of people and culture at Nearmap, a data and technology company.

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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