Update: March 20, 2020: The Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced that the IRS is now extending the federal income tax filing deadline to July 15. Earlier this week, the Treasury Department released guidance that pushed back just the deadline for making federal tax payments — not for filing tax returns — to July 15.
As part of its coronavirus response, the federal government is giving taxpayers a three-month reprieve to pay their 2019 taxes.
2019 tax returns and payments were originally due on April 15. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced on March 17 that a 90-day grace period to pay applies to taxpayers who owe up to $1 million and covered many pass-through entities and small businesses, according to the Treasury Secretary.
Corporate filers will get the same 90-day extension to pay on amounts due up to $10 million.
During this three-month grace period, taxpayers won’t be subject to interest and penalties if their 2019 taxes are paid on or before July 15, 2020.
The 90-day grace period applies only to the payment of 2019 taxes. The tax return due date remains April 15. Taxpayers should get their 2019 federal income tax return filed as soon as possible, especially if expecting a refund and in need of cash.
As of this afternoon, the State of Michigan has not announced any adjustments to its tax filing and payment deadlines; those remain April 15, 2020.
Fraser Trebilcock attorney Paul V. McCord has more than 20 years of tax litigation experience, including serving as a clerk on the U.S. Tax Court and as a judge of the Michigan Tax Tribunal. Paul has represented clients before the IRS, Michigan Department of Treasury, other state revenue departments and local units of government. He can be contacted at 517.377.0861 or pmccord@fraserlawfirm.com.