The deadline for income tax returns due April 15 has been extended to July 15, 2020. Both filing and payments are automatically extended with no requirement to file an extension request using Form 7004. However, if an extension is still required beyond July 15, 2020 (extending to September or October), the proper extension form must be filed and taxes paid by July 15, 2020.
The Act also delays estimated tax payments for both individuals and corporations until October 15, 2020, treating all installments as one installment due on such date.
Notice 2020-18, which supersedes Notice 2020-17, clarified that certain informational, non-income tax, filings are still due April 15th.
Individuals who file Foreign Bank and Financial Account Reports (“FBAR”, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network “FinCEN” Form 114) should be aware that FBAR is not part of the income tax return. However, the Surface Transportation and Veterans Health Care Choice Improvement Act of 2015 grants FBAR filers an automatic six-month extension (until October 15th), so it is unlikely a separate extension would be provided under the CARES Act. As of the date of this article, the FinCEN website (https://www.fincen.gov/report-foreign-bank-and-financial-accounts) did not list any change in due date for COVID-19.
Notice 2020-20 does specifically extend the deadline for Estate and Gift Tax returns through July 15th, as estate and gift taxes are not part of the income tax return.