Last year, as the coronavirus pandemic ramped up in mid-March, the Internal Revenue Service announced an unprecedented across-the-board extension to federal tax filings. This year, alas, the IRS has already announced that they expect to retain the traditional April 15 deadline. [Update 3/19: The IRS announced a one-month federal deadline extension to May 17 earlier this week; states may or may not grant similar extensions.] Between the narrower filing window and the delivery delays that continue to plague the U.S. Postal Service, taxpayers will want to get their filings in order as quickly as possible, and consider electronic filing in order to expedite the processing of returns and refunds. (It's possible to request an Extension of Time to File Your Tax Return, but note that this does not grant an extension for time to pay estimated taxes owed.)
Taxpayers whose income was at or below $72,000 in 2020 may qualify for the IRS Free File service, which offers online tax preparation assistance and free e-filing for federal taxes. The Free File Online Lookup Tool helps taxpayers to identify available free online filing offers that are appropriate for their tax situation. If you do not qualify for Free File, the IRS also outlines additional e-File Options, including free fillable online forms for federal taxes.
Some important considerations for the 2020 tax filing season includes treatment of economic stimulus payments as well as unemployment compensation. The IRS's Coronavirus Tax Relief and Economic Impact Payments page includes information on tax treatment of these payments, as well as how to claim a Recovery Rebate Credit for stimulus payments that were owed but not received.
Don't forget your state tax filings, as well! The Federation of Tax Administrators provides quick access to State Tax Agencies. Should your federal and state taxes prove too complicated to complete on your own, the IRS also has tips for Choosing a Tax Professional and for handling any complaints that arise.
For more resources on federal tax law, including access to research databases like Thomson Reuters Checkpoint, visit the Goodson Law Library's research guide to Federal Tax or Ask a Librarian.
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