March 15, 2021 marked the one-year anniversary of the Shelter in Place mandate. Shortly thereafter, on March 17th, the United States Treasury and Internal Revenue Service announced for the second time in history that the April 15th tax deadline would be postponed. 2020 tax filings and related tax payments normally due April 15th, for individual taxpayers ONLY, are now due May 17th, 2021.

State Tax Obligations for Employers

2020 tax filings and related tax payments normally due April 15th, for individual taxpayers ONLY, are now due May 17th, 2021.

  • Interest and penalty charges will not apply for payments made by May 17th.
  • The individual filing deadline extension to May 15th is automatic and individual taxpayers do not need to file any additional forms.

As of March 17th, 2021

  • The relief applies ONLY to 2020 Individual taxpayers
  • 2021 Q1 Estimated Tax payments are still due April 15th, 2021
  • Trusts and Corporate tax returns are still due April 15th, 2021

The California Franchise Tax Board will conform to the extended due date with similar provisions:

  • California deadline for individuals extended to May 17th, 2021
  • Q1 2021 estimated tax would continue to be due April 15th, 2021

Other Non-CA States
State guidelines for payment extensions will vary across the 50 states. Please check with your Realize adviser if you have questions concerning your other state filings and payments.

Please find a recap below of the filing dates for 2021 based on current guidance:

April 15th, 2021
Individuals: First quarter estimates of 2021 taxes due.

PENDING GUIDANCE: Individuals: Last day to make 2020 contributions to a traditional or Roth IRA. We are awaiting IRS guidance to determine if this deadline has also been extended to May 17, 2021.

PENDING GUIDANCE: Individuals: 2020 gift tax returns (Form 709) due. A six-month extension will be granted with the filing of Form 8892 and payment of requisite taxes. If no taxes are due, a filing of Form 4868 to extend the individual income tax returns will simultaneously extend Form 709. We are awaiting IRS guidance to determine if this deadline has also been extended to May 17, 2021.

Household Employers: Filing Schedule H, if wages paid equal $2,200 or more and Form 1040 is not required. If filing a Form 1040, Schedule H is to be submitted with the return and accordingly extended to the due date of the return.

Trusts & Estates: Returns due (Form 1041) or filing of an extension for an automatic five-and-a-half-month extension to October 1 (Form 7004). Any corresponding taxes are due 4/15.

Calendar‐year Corporations: Filing a 2020 income tax return (form 1120) or filing for an automatic six-month extension (Form 7004).

Calendar‐year Corporations: First quarter estimates due.

May 17th, 2021
UPDATED: Individuals: Filing 2020 income tax returns (Form 1040) or filing an automatic six‐month extension (Form 4868), and paying taxes due. Note that any taxes due are still required to be paid by April 15th regardless of whether an extension was filed.

Exempt Organizations: 2020 calendar‐year return (Form 990, 990‐EZ or Form 990‐PF) due unless an automatic six-month extension (Form 8868) is filed. Note that smaller exempt organizations with less than $50,000 in gross receipts may file an online postcard (Form 990‐N).

June 15th, 2021
Individuals: Q2 estimates due.
Calendar‐year Corporations: Q2 estimates due.

September 15th, 2021
Individuals: Q3 estimates due.

Calendar‐year Corporations: Q3 estimates due.

Calendar‐year Partnerships: 2020 extended partnership tax returns (Form 1065) due.

October 15th, 2021
Individuals: Extended individual income tax returns (Form 1040) due. Also the last day to make 2020 SEP contributions if a 1040 extension was granted.

Individuals: Extended gift tax returns (Form 709) due.

Trusts & Estates: Extended fiduciary returns due (Form 1041)

Calendar‐year Corporations: Extended income tax return (Form 1120) due if a six-month extension was filed and granted.

December 15th, 2021
Calendar‐year Corporations: Q4 estimates due.

January 17th, 2022

Individuals: Q4 estimates due for 2021