Federal Tax Deadline Extended To May 17

The federal income tax filing due date for individual taxpayers, including individuals who pay self-employment tax, has been extended to Monday, May 17, 2021, for the 2020 tax year. There is no need to file any forms to qualify for this automatic federal tax filing and payment relief.

Individual taxpayers will automatically avoid interest and penalties on the taxes paid by May 17; however, penalties, interest, and additions to tax will begin to accrue on any remaining unpaid balances as of May 17, 2021. The extended tax return due date applies to any individual who files a federal individual income tax return – or has a federal tax payment reported on one of these forms that would otherwise be due April 15, 2021 – using the Form 1040 series, including Form 1040, 1040-SR, and 1040-PR. Additionally, foreign trusts and estates with federal income tax filing or payment obligations that file Form 1040-NR now have until May 17, 2021.

The extended deadline also applies to schedules, returns, and other forms that are filed with a Form 1040 or are required to be filed by the due date of the Form 1040, such as Schedules H, Schedule SE, and Forms 965-A, 3520, 5329, 5471, 8621, 8858, 8865, 8915-E, and 8938.

This extended deadline does not apply to:

• Any other type of federal tax or any federal information returns, including estates, trusts, corporations, and other businesses.
• Quarterly estimated payments related to self-employment income, dividends, and rental income.
• Gift tax returns (Form 709). If you are not filing an extension, you must file Form 8892, Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File Form 709 and/or Payment of Gift/Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax.
• U.S. citizens, resident aliens and any domestic legal entity that files an annual Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR) due April 15, 2021.

File as Soon as Possible for Refunds

Even with the new deadline, however, taxpayers should consider filing as soon as possible, especially those who are owed refunds. Filing electronically with direct deposit is the fastest way to get refunds and can help some taxpayers receive any remaining stimulus payments they may be entitled to.

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