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Why the 2020 Federal Tax Filing Deadline Moved to May 17, 2021
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Historical coverage — 2021. This article explains a past relief measure. It is not an announcement of a new payment or a current application offer.
What Treasury and the IRS Announced
On March 17, 2021, Treasury and the IRS announced that the federal individual income-tax filing deadline for the 2020 tax year would move from April 15 to May 17, 2021. The announcement also postponed covered individual income-tax payments without penalties or interest during the postponement period.
The Limits Mattered
The relief did not automatically change state filing deadlines, and the announcement did not postpone estimated-tax payments due April 15, 2021. A filing extension was also different from extra time to pay: the bulletin explained that requesting an October filing extension did not move the covered payment deadline beyond May 17.
Use the Correct Tax Year
This was a dated pandemic measure. The original wording “announced today” and references to guidance “in the coming days” have been replaced with historical dates so the page cannot be mistaken for a new extension.
For a current return, check the filing year and any relief that specifically applies to your circumstances. If you are reviewing a 2020 record, keep the return, payment history and notices together; this article does not establish that a refund claim or other filing remains timely.
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Independent educational coverage. We are not affiliated with SSA. This article does not determine eligibility or replace advice about an individual claim.