How COVID-19 Is Affecting Taxpayers

The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service recently announced that the federal income tax filing due date is automatically extended from April 15, 2020 to July 15, 2020. In addition to extending the tax filing due date, taxpayers can also defer federal income tax payments due on April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020, without penalties and interest, regardless of the amount owed.  Taxpayers do not need to file any additional forms to qualify for this automatic federal tax filing and payment extension. Nevertheless, the IRS is urging taxpayers who are due a refund to file as soon as possible as most tax refunds are still being issued within 21 days. 

While some IRS operations will be scaled back, the IRS does plan to continue mission-critical operations, including the acceptance of tax returns as well as sending refunds. However, all Taxpayer Assistance Centers are temporarily closed and face-to-face services throughout the country have been discontinued until further notice. This means that most taxpayers who need face-to-face IRS services will need to find alternative ways to address or answer their tax concerns.

Migration Resource Center Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) provides low income taxpayers with free representation before the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and can assist taxpayers with resolving their tax concerns. During this time of unprecedented uncertainty, we are here to help you navigate your tax challenges so that you can focus on what’s really important during this time.

We are offering virtual consultations to help you understand your rights as a taxpayer and the options available to you to resolve your tax issue. Call us today at 646-827-2959 to schedule your free consultation.


BY: Chanel Harris, Migration Resource Center Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic Attorney