COVID-19 Impact

How will COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Affect the Tax Filing Deadline?

Q: Will tax refunds be delayed due to Coronavirus?

As of March 18, IRS Federal and state tax returns and refunds are being processed despite the spread of COVID-19. On March 17, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced that individuals can defer tax payments up to $1 million for 90 days, however, the deadline to file remains the same April 15. Filing online with Jackson Hewitt Tax Pro From Home provides the safety of an easy-to-use service complemented by Tax Pros from the comfort of your own home. E-Filing is the quickest and safest way to file your tax returns. As of March 6, more than 65 million returns were processed with 52 million filers receiving a refund of $3,000 or more. File now and get your refund.

Q: What if I owe taxes and can’t pay due to financial impacts of Coronavirus?

If you file your taxes and find that you owe, the Treasury Department and IRS have formally extended the tax payment due date to July 15, 2020. Remember you still have the ability to work with the IRS to establish a manageable payment plan. Jackson Hewitt’s Tax Pros can help you apply for the best payment plan for your financial situation while filing this year’s tax return. For convenience, this can be done on the phone or from an internet-connected device

Jo Willetts, EA Director, Tax Resources Published On March 20, 2020

^{UPDATED ON: December 23, 2020}

With the Federal Government’s national recommendation to stay at home affecting businesses across the country, it may be time to file your taxes if you haven’t already done so. Remember, the majority of Americans filing taxes receive refunds, and additional funding during this time of uncertainty could provide you and your family with greater peace of mind.

Will the 2020 federal tax filing deadline for 2020 returns be extended again due to Coronavirus?

The federal tax filing deadline for filing 2019 returns was extended to July 15, 2020 for individual and business tax returns. There is currently no extension of the filing deadline for 2020 returns. This means the deadline for 2020 returns remains April 15, 2021 at this time.

Additional questions regarding tax extensions are addressed below:

Will tax refunds be delayed due to Coronavirus?

IRS Federal and state tax returns and refunds are expected to be processed normally and have not been impacted by the spread of COVID-19. Moreover, filing online with Jackson Hewitt Tax Pro From Home provides the safety of an easy-to-use service complemented by Tax Pros from the comfort of your own home. E-Filing is the quickest and safest way to file your tax returns, so file now to access any refunds you may have pending.

What if I owe taxes and can’t pay due to the financial impacts of Coronavirus?

If you file your taxes and find that you owe, you must pay your taxes by April 15, 2021 to avoid a late paying penalty. If you are not ready to file your return, file an extension (IRS Form 4868). This will give you an additional six months to October 15, 2021 to file your taxes without a late filing penalty. Remember, you have the ability to work with the IRS to establish a manageable payment plan. Jackson Hewitt’s Tax Debt Associates can help you apply for the best payment plan for your financial situation while filing this year’s tax return. For convenience, this can be done on the phone or an internet-connected device.

What do I do if I need more time to file my taxes in 2021?

In the event you need more time to file your taxes, Jackson Hewitt's Tax Pros can begin the filing process and request an automatic six-month extension to ensure you have the time to apply all credits, deductions, and locate missing paperwork. You must pay your taxes, or what you estimate your tax bill to be, by April 15 to avoid additional fees and penalties.

Which states have extended tax deadlines due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus)?

At this time, there are no federal or state delays to the filing season for 2021 tax returns. Please note that only 43 states have income tax requirements with Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming exempt. For updated information on which deadline applies to your state, visit the IRS’ State Government Website. To speed up the process, E-file with Jackson Hewitt Tax Pro From Home and enjoy the safety of an easy-to-use service complemented by Tax Pros from the comfort of your own residence. Should you owe, Jackson Hewitt’s Tax Pros can help you apply for the best payment plan while completing your tax return.

What happens next?

Additional information on the government’s response to COVID-19 can be found at https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus. For updated information on your state, visit the IRS’ State Government Website. To speed up the process, E-file with Jackson Hewitt Tax Pro From Home and enjoy the safety of an easy-to-use service complemented by Tax Pros from the comfort of your own residence. We’re here to help. Give Jackson Hewitt a call and see how we’re still working hard for the hardest working.

About the Author

Jo Willetts, Director of Tax Resources at Jackson Hewitt, has more than 25 years of experience in the tax industry. As an Enrolled Agent, Jo has attained the highest level of certification for a tax professional. She began her career at Jackson Hewitt as a Tax Pro, working her way up to General Manager of a franchise store. In her current role, Jo provides expert knowledge company-wide to ensure that tax information distributed through all Jackson Hewitt channels is current and accurate.

Jackson Hewitt Editorial Policy

Coronavirus Stimulus Package: What You Need to Know

^{UPDATED ON: December 23, 2020}

As the federal government manages its on-going and rapidly evolving response to the coronavirus epidemic, a variety of solutions including an additional $300 unemployment per week, an extension to March 12, 2021 for self-employed taxpayers to collect unemployment, and extension implementing paid leave for some workers and tax credits for small businesses, and an additional $900 billion stimulus plan to continue to bolster the U.S. economy has been passed as part of the 2021 budget. As a part of the recently passed COVID-Related Tax Relief Act of 2020 (COVIDTRA 2020), qualifying taxpayers should receive a second stimulus check in the near future.

by Jo Willetts, EA | April 1, 2020

Social Security Recipients to Automatically Receive Stimulus Checks

^{UPDATED ON: December 23, 2020}

The IRS will be depositing the second round of stimulus checks for all Americans receiving Social Security, Railroad Retirement, and Veteran’s Administration benefits into the same accounts as their benefit payments. This is the same process used for the first stimulus payment.

by Jo Willetts, EA | April 7, 2020