File and pay electronically, request direct deposit for refunds

WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service today reminds taxpayers who filed an extension that the Oct. 15 due date to file 2019 tax returns is approaching. Taxpayers should complete their tax returns and file on or before the Oct. 15 deadline.

Convenient electronic filing options, including IRS Free File, are still available. Taxpayers and tax professionals should continue to use electronic options to support social distancing and speed the processing of tax returns, refunds and payments.

Although Oct. 15 is the last day for most people to file, some taxpayers may have more time. They include:

Taxpayers who did not request an extension and have yet to file a 2019 tax return can generally avoid additional penalties and interest by filing the return as soon as possible and paying any taxes owed.

Choose direct deposit for refunds
The safest and fastest way for taxpayers to get their refund is to have it electronically deposited into their bank or other financial account. Taxpayers can use direct deposit to deposit their refund into one, two or even three accounts. Direct deposit is much faster than waiting for a paper check to arrive in the mail.

After filing, use the Where's My Refund? tool on IRS.gov or download the IRS2Go mobile app to track the status of a refund.

Schedule federal tax payments electronically
Taxpayers who filed an extension can file now and schedule their federal tax payments up to the Oct. 15 due date. They can pay online, by phone or with their mobile device and the IRS2Go app. When paying federal taxes electronically taxpayers should remember:

Economic Impact Payments-Non-Filers can still get one; must act by Oct. 15
Though most Americans − more than 160 million in all − have already received their Economic Impact Payments, the IRS reminds anyone with little or no income who is not required to file a tax return that they may be eligible to receive an Economic Impact Payment.

Available in both English and Spanish, the Non-Filers tool on IRS.gov is designed for people with incomes typically below $24,400 for married couples, and $12,200 for singles. This includes couples and individuals who are experiencing homelessness. People must enter their information by Oct. 15 to get a payment this year.

People can qualify for a payment, even if they don’t work or have no earned income. But low- and moderate-income workers and working families eligible to receive special tax benefits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit, cannot use this tool. They will need to file a regular return as soon as possible. The IRS will use their tax return information to determine and issue any EIP for which they are eligible.

IRS.gov assistance
Taxpayers may find answers to many of their questions using the Interactive Tax Assistant (ITA), a tax law resource that works using a series of questions and responses. IRS.gov has answers for Frequently Asked Questions. The IRS website has tax information in: Spanish (Español); Chinese (中文); Korean (한국어); Russian (Pусский); Vietnamese (Tyng Việt); and Haitian Creole (Kreyòl ayisyen). Go to IRS.gov/payments for electronic payment options.

WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service continues to look for ways to assist taxpayers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.  As part of that effort, the IRS reminds taxpayers and tax practitioners of the procedures for requesting expedited handling of requests for letter rulings under Rev. Proc. 2020-1, 2020-1 I.R.B. 1 (Jan. 2, 2020).

As set forth in Rev. Proc. 2020-1, the IRS ordinarily processes requests for letter rulings in the order that they were received.  A taxpayer with a compelling need to have a request processed more quickly may request expedited handling.  The request for expedited handling must be made in writing, preferably in a separate letter submitted with the letter ruling request.  Requests for expedited handling are granted at the discretion of the IRS and typically involve a factor outside of the taxpayer’s control that creates a real business need to obtain a letter ruling before a certain date in order to avoid serious business consequences.  Requests for expedited handling should be submitted as promptly as possible after the taxpayer has become aware of the deadline or compelling business need. 

The COVID-19 pandemic is a factor outside of the taxpayer’s control that can support a request for expedited handling under Rev. Proc. 2020-1. As a result, and consistent with Executive Order 13924 of May 19, 2020, taxpayers are encouraged to seek expedited handling if they face a compelling need related to COVID-19.  Such requests will be handled as provided in Rev. Proc. 2020-1.

More information on the procedures for requesting expedited handling is provided in Section 7.02(4) of Rev. Proc. 2020-1.  In addition, Rev. Proc. 2020-29, 2020-21 I.R.B. 859 (May 18, 2020), sets forth procedures for the electronic submission of letter ruling requests.

The IRS has issued an advance copy of TD 9914 on Eligible Terminated S Corporations.

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today issued final regulations for taxpayers who claim the rehabilitation credit. 

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TJCA) amended the rehabilitation credit so that taxpayers now claim the rehabilitation credit over a five-year period.  The TCJA amendments generally apply to a taxpayer’s qualified rehabilitation expenditures paid or incurred after Dec. 31, 2017. 

Taxpayers, however, may claim the credit all in one year under pre-TCJA rules for projects that qualify under a transition rule. The transition rule allows taxpayers to use the prior law if the project meets these conditions:

The final regulations require taxpayers to determine the rehabilitation credit amount in the year they place the building into service and allocate that amount ratably over the five-year period.

The final regulations also include a rule to coordinate the TCJA amendments with the special rules for the investment credit, of which the rehabilitation credit is part.  Finally, the final regulations include examples illustrating how to apply the rules.
 
Updates on the implementation of the TCJA can be found on the Tax Reform page of IRS.gov.

Revenue Ruling 2020-20 provides various prescribed rates for federal income tax purposes including the applicable federal interest rates, the adjusted applicable federal interest rates, the adjusted federal long-term rate, and the adjusted federal long-term tax-exempt rate. These rates are determined as prescribed by § 1274.  

The rates are published monthly for purposes of sections 42, 382, 412, 642, 1288, 1274, 7520, 7872, and various other sections of the Internal Revenue Code. 

Revenue Ruling 2020-20 will be in IRB:  2020-41, dated October 5, 2020.

Notice 2020-72 provides guidance on the corporate bond monthly yield curve, the corresponding spot segment rates used under § 417(e)(3), and the 24-month average segment rates under § 430(h)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code.  In addition, this notice provides guidance as to the interest rate on 30-year Treasury securities under § 417(e)(3)(A)(ii)(II) as in effect for plan years beginning before 2008 and the 30-year Treasury weighted average rate under § 431(c)(6)(E)(ii)(I), as reflected by the application of § 430(h)(2)(C)(iv). 

Notice 2020- 72 will be IRB:  IRB 2020-40, dated 09/28/2020.

WASHINGTON — The final regulations for the business interest expense deduction limitation published in the Federal Register today. The final regulations vary slightly from the document released on IRS.gov on July 28, 2020.

The Treasury Department and the IRS released a version of the final regulations on the business interest expense deduction limitation on IRS.gov on July 28, 2020. The version released on IRS.gov contains a disclaimer that the document had been submitted to the Office of the Federal Register for publication, and notes that the version of the final regulations may vary slightly from the document published in the Federal Register.

The version of the final regulations published in the Federal Register contains minor editorial changes.  In response to questions from taxpayers and practitioners, the final regulations published in the Federal Register clarify that taxpayers may rely on the final regulations for any taxable year beginning after Dec. 31, 2017, provided that certain conditions are met. 

The document published in the Federal Register is the official document.

For more information about this and other TCJA provisions, visit IRS.gov/taxreform

Notice 2020-71 announces the special per diem rates effective October 1, 2020, which taxpayers may use to substantiate the amount of expenses for lodging, meals, and incidental expenses when traveling away from home.  This notice provides the special transportation industry rate, the rate for the incidental expenses only deduction, and the rates and list of high-cost localities for purposes of the high-low substantiation method. 

Notice 2020-71 will be in IRB:   2020-40, dated 9/28/20.

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service has selected 10 new members for the Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee.

Established in 1998, the ETAAC is a public forum for the discussion of issues in electronic tax administration. Its aim is to prevent identity theft and refund fraud in support of paperless filing of tax and information returns. ETAAC members work closely with the Security Summit, a joint effort of the IRS, state tax administrators and the nation's tax industry to fight identity theft and refund fraud.

The following individuals have been appointed to serve three-year terms on the ETAAC beginning in September 2020:

ETAAC leadership

For the committee’s new working year, which begins this month, Geno Salo, Senior Director at Thomson Reuters, will serve as Chair. Kay-Decker will serve as Vice Chair.

Committee members include state tax officials, consumer advocates, cybersecurity and information security specialists, tax preparers, tax software developers and representatives of the payroll and financial communities.

Announcement 2020-17 postpones, until January 15, 2021, the due dates for reporting and paying the excise taxes under §§ 4971(a)(1) and 4971(f)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code with respect to certain delayed minimum required contributions to a single employer defined benefit plan.  This postponement applies with respect to a required contribution to which the extended due date under § 3608(a) of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, Pub. L. No. 116-136 (134 Stat. 281) (CARES Act), applies. 

Announcement 2020-17 will be in IRB:  2020-40, dated September 28, 2020.