After discussions with the IRS regarding the upcoming 10/15 tax filing due date, we understand that the IRS is willing to work with taxpayers who need relief. Informally, we’ve been told that practitioners who have made a good-faith effort to meet the filing deadlines on behalf of their clients, but are unable to do so due to COVID-19, should write “COVID-19” in an attachment to the return, and should briefly describe the reason they cannot meet the deadlines, or, if possible, should write “COVID-19” at the top of the tax return to indicate the need for penalty relief.  Also, it may be that our state could provide case-by-case relief too.  Here are some of the reasons that you can put in a return attachment:

• Challenging extended filing season
• Practitioner may continue to struggle with COVID-19 complications
• Made a good-faith effort to meet filing deadlines
  • Write “COVID-19” in an attachment to the return
  • Briefly describe the reason the taxpayer cannot meet the deadline; or
  • Write “COVID-19” at the top of the tax return
• Practitioners should contact software providers about appropriate notations
• State specific disaster code relief information may be found at the FEMA Declared Disasters page

Read More in this article from the Journal of Accountancy