The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) today called for the Treasury Department and the IRS to provide relief to all taxpayers in light of the uncertainty and challenges caused by the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Specifically, we request that Treasury and the IRS consider the following recommendations, which will provide extensive relief to millions of individuals and businesses:

Individuals

• Broad Relief: Extend certain deadlines falling on or after March 15, 2020 and before October 15, 2020 to give individuals additional time to file and make payments through October 15, 2020.
• Automatic Extension: Provide an automatic extension to October 15, 2020, without the need to file any forms or request an extension.
• Penalties & Interest:
  • Waive late payment penalties if at least 70% of an individual’s current tax due is paid by April 15, 2020.
  • Waive interest through October 15, 2020.
• Other Relief:
  • Waive underpayment penalties for 2020 estimated tax payments if paid by September 15, 2020.
  • Extend the IRA contribution deadline.

 Businesses

• Broad Relief: Extend certain deadlines falling on or after March 15, 2020 and before October 15, 2020, to give businesses additional time to file and make payments through October 15, 2020.
• Automatic Extension: Provide an automatic extension without the need to file any forms or request an extension.
• Penalties & Interest: Waive late payment penalties and interest through October 15, 2020.
• Other Relief: Provide appropriate relief for all businesses and tax-exempt organizations regarding elections and filings (including payroll, excise tax, etc.).

 “We are hearing from our members that they and their clients are experiencing great uncertainty about this year’s tax filing season.  Our recommendations will help give taxpayers, large and small, much needed relief in the midst of this fast-moving emergency situation,” said Edward Karl, AICPA Vice President of Taxation.  “We continue to closely monitor the Coronavirus pandemic and thank the Treasury Department and IRS for their commitment to the welfare of all taxpayers.”

 About the American Institute of CPAs

 The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) is the world’s largest member association representing the CPA profession, with more than 429,000 members in the United States and worldwide, and a history of serving the public interest since 1887.  AICPA members represent many areas of practice, including business and industry, public practice, government, education and consulting. The AICPA sets ethical standards for its members and U.S. auditing standards for private companies, nonprofit organizations, federal, state and local governments.  It develops and grades the Uniform CPA Examination, offers specialized credentials, builds the pipeline of future talent and drives professional competency development to advance the vitality, relevance and quality of the profession.

The AICPA maintains offices in New York, Washington, DC, Durham, NC, and Ewing, NJ.

Media representatives are invited to visit the AICPA Press Center at https://www.aicpa.org/press.