What’s the filing deadline for 2020 federal income tax returns?
Monday, May 17, 2021
On March 17, 2021, the IRS officially extended the federal tax filing due date for individuals from April 15, 2021, to May 17, 2021. This deadline change applies to 2020 individual federal income returns only. It doesn’t affect due dates for state or city tax returns. States and cities can elect to maintain or extend their current tax filing deadlines.
Also, individual taxpayers can postpone federal income tax payments for the 2020 tax year due on April 15, 2021, to May 17, 2021, without penalties and interest. This includes people who pay self-employment tax. If you’re unable to file by the May 17 deadline, you can request a filing extension. If you request an extension, you’ll have until Oct. 15, 2021, to file your 2020 tax return. This extension doesn’t apply to estimated tax payments due April 15, 2021. Payments are still due on April 15.
If you live in Texas, Oklahoma, or Louisiana and were affected by the winter storms in February 2021, individual and business tax returns are due June 15, 2021. The May 17 filing deadline doesn’t apply to you.
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 includes a provision that made the first $10,200 of unemployment benefits earned in 2020 tax-free. The IRS released updated Schedule 1 instructions to help taxpayers calculate their exclusion. View the instructions here. If you already filed your 2020 tax return and are eligible for this tax benefit, no action is needed. The IRS will automatically process and distribute your refund.
Also, the federal income tax filing due dates for businesses and exempt organizations haven’t changed. C corporations must file by April 15, 2021, or request an extension. Exempt organizations must file by May 15, 2021, or request an extension.
Tax filing deadlines in Michigan
The state of Michigan has chosen to extend its filing deadline to May 17, 2021, to conform to the IRS notice. Individual and composite state income tax returns originally due April 15, 2021, are now due May 17, 2021. This extension doesn’t apply to fiduciary returns or corporate income tax returns.
The City of Grand Rapids extended its filing deadline from April 30, 2021, to June 1, 2021. The city’s deadline applies to all taxpayers, including individuals, trusts and estates, corporations, noncorporate tax filers, and those who pay self-employment tax.
Originally published 3/18/2021. Updated 3/25/2021.
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