Federal Tax Day Is July 15: What You Need to Know About This Change

What we’ll cover:

• For 2020, in response to COVID-19, the US Treasury and IRS have moved the federal Tax Day from April 15 to July 15
• This change is intended to give taxpayers additional time to file their tax returns and make any necessary income tax payments
• The Treasury and IRS announcement does not change the deadlines for when state taxes are due. Those deadlines are set by individual states – not the federal government

On March 21, 2020, the US Treasury Department and IRS announced that the federal government is officially moving Tax Day from April 15 to July 15. 

This change is in response to the COVID-19 virus and is intended to give taxpayers additional time to file their federal returns and make any necessary tax payments, if they haven’t already done so. 

The three-month extension is automatically applied to all taxpayers, so you do not have to file an extension request to qualify. Because who needs more paperwork, right?

If you haven’t completed your taxes yet, you may still want to file as soon as you can despite this extension. Why? Two reasons: It has to be done sooner or later. And if you’re expecting a refund, the sooner you file your return, the sooner you’ll get your money back. 

Let’s take a closer look at what the new July 15 date means for taxpayers. 

July 15 is now the new deadline for filing federal tax returns and payments in 2020

Federal Tax Day is usually on April 15 – the original deadline for taxpayers to file their individual returns, pay any income taxes owed (including estimated taxes) and submit a filing extension request. By officially moving Tax Day to July 15, the federal government is giving taxpayers three extra months to get these things done.

It’s important to meet these new deadlines. If you don’t file or pay your taxes on time, the IRS can impose penalties and charge interest. 

If you do owe taxes this year, the IRS has already made clear that any outstanding payments will begin to accrue interest and penalties on July 16 (see Notice 2020-18).

If you can’t meet the July 15 deadline, you may request an extension by filing Form 4868. 

Good to know: Moving the federal Tax Day to July 15 does not officially change the deadlines for when state taxes are due. Those deadlines are set by individual states – not the federal government. However, in response to the US Treasury’s decision, many states have agreed to move their filing deadlines to July 15 as well. To see if there are any changes to your state tax deadlines, check in with your state’s tax collection department or consult with a tax professional.

Why you should file as soon as possible

Even though taxpayers are getting a three-month extension, the IRS is encouraging everyone to file their taxes as soon as possible (and preferably electronically). 

If you’re getting some money back this year, the sooner you get your returns in, the sooner the IRS can process and issue your refund (generally within 21 days). Keep in mind that the quickest way to get your refund is by filing your return electronically and choosing direct deposit. 

Here are a few interesting statistics – as of March 13, 2020:

• The IRS has received approximately 76,191,000 individual income tax returns.
• The agency has issued more than $176 billion in total refunds.
• The average refund is approximately $2,973.

Some parting thoughts

These are uncertain times, and filing taxes is probably the last thing you may want to do or even think about. If you’re among the millions of people who are looking for ways to cushion the financial impact of this national emergency, getting your taxes done and potentially receiving a refund could help ease some of the stress that we’re all experiencing. 

Think about it this way: Once your taxes are filed, you can cross one big item off your to-do list and feel good about your accomplishment. Not to mention, if you’re getting a refund, the extra cash might help you avoid dipping into your emergency fund for a little while longer, providing a measure of relief if you’re expecting financial uncertainties ahead. 

If you have any questions regarding your personal taxes and finances, don’t hesitate to contact your tax preparer and/or financial advisor. They may be able to offer insights and strategies to help put your mind at ease. Be well.