THE dreaded tax filing deadline is normally April 15 – but not this year.

The coronavirus has infected more than one million Americans but has also crippled the economy and left record numbers of people out of work.

As a result, taxpayers are getting a break with the filing deadline pushed back.

Here is what you need to know what the new tax filing deadline.

Are taxes being delayed in 2020?

Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said in March that the filing deadline would be extended for all taxpayers.

"All taxpayers and businesses will have this additional time to file and make payments without interest or penalties," he said.

Said the IRS: "The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service are providing special tax filing and payment relief to individuals and businesses in response to the COVID-19 Outbreak."

The government relief only applies to federal income returns, but states have extended their deadlines as well.

The IRS received just under 60 million returns by the end of February, according to the Wall Street Journal, less than half of what is expected during tax season.

Is the IRS going to extend the tax deadline?

The tax deadline has been extended for all Americans to July 15 – and another extension may be coming that would extend to nearly Christmas.

Mnuchin tweeted in March that "At @realDonaldTrump’s direction, we are moving Tax Day from April 15 to July 15."

Said the IRS: "This relief applies to all individual returns, trusts, and corporations."

"This relief is automatic, taxpayers do not need to file any additional forms or call the IRS to qualify.

This relief also includes estimated tax payments for tax year 2020 that are due on April 15, 2020."

Taxpayers who need additional time to file beyond the July 15 deadline can request a filing extension by filing Form 4868 "through their tax professional, tax software or using the Free File link on IRS.gov.," according to the IRS.

Businesses who need additional time must file Form 7004.

The deadline could be changing again, though.

Sources told NBC News the White House is considering a Dec 15 deadline.

How early can you file taxes?

There is no reason to wait – Americans can file their taxes anytime before or on July 15.

As Mnuchin noted earlier this year: "I encourage all taxpayers who may have tax refunds to file now to get your money."

When can I do my taxes for 2020?

Americans have until July 15 to file their taxes, and will be subject to penalties if they wait longer than that.

The IRS said that "penalties and interest will begin to accrue on any remaining unpaid balances as of July 16, 2020."

"You will automatically avoid interest and penalties on the taxes paid by July 15."

 

However, Americans who need more time time can ask for it.

"For those who can't file by the July 15, 2020 deadline, the IRS reminds individual taxpayers that everyone is eligible to request an extension to file their return," the IRS said.

Upcoming key tax dates include May 15 (for non-profits to request an extension), June 15 (second-quarter estimated payments due) and Sept 15 (third-quarter estimated payments due).

 

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