The IRS has once again extended the tax filing and payment deadlines in most parts of California due to destruction caused by landslides, mudslides, and severe storms. Now those Californians have until October 16th to file, as opposed to the previously announced May 15th date.

The IRS has extended the fourth quarter 2022 estimated tax payment deadline to October 16th. The 2023 estimated tax payments due on April 18th, June 15th, and September 15th, as well as the quarterly payroll and excise tax returns due on January 31st, April 30th, and July 31st, have also been delayed until October 16th. No contact or extension paperwork is necessary to take advantage of the extended time. If taxpayers receive penalty notifications within the postponed period, they should contact the number provided for the penalty to be waived.

As a result of pandemic-related issues, the IRS has a backlog of millions of original and amended 2020 and 2019 tax returns awaiting processing. This situation creates a risk that taxpayers who have met their tax filing and payment obligations could receive automated IRS notices about unfiled returns or balances owed. To prevent confusion and undue taxpayer stress, the IRS has temporarily halted sending certain letters and notices.

• The suspended notices and letters include:
• Notices related to unfiled or delinquent individual tax returns (especially IRS Letters CP80, CP59, CP759, CP516, CP616, CP518 and CP618)
• Tax balance due letters to individual taxpayers (CP501, CP503, CP504)
• Notices to individual taxpayers regarding insufficient tax withholding from paychecks
• Delinquent business tax return notices (CP259, CP959, CP518, CP618)

Although the IRS will not send out these documents while clearing the backlog, penalties and interest charges may still accrue on unpaid tax balances. Therefore, if you have yet to file your 2020 return or owe past tax, you should pay as much of the tax due as possible as soon as you can. Your tax professional can help you determine how much to pay, and also help you file any overdue returns.