Note: Notice 2020-17 was superseded by Notice 2020-18.

In Notice 2020-17, the Internal Revenue Service has announced that, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, income tax payments that are now due on April 15 can be deferred until July 15 without any interest or penalties. This applies to both tax payments for 2019 and estimated tax payments for 2020, but the deferral is limited to $1 million for individuals and $10 million for corporations.

There is (as yet) no deferral of the filing deadline, so taxpayers must either file returns by April 15 or file for an extension of time to file.

Interest and penalties may apply after July 15, but the period from April 15 to July 15 will be excluded from any interest or penalty calculations.

It is believed that this relief applies to estates and trusts as well as individuals and corporations.

There is (as yet) no similar relief for Pennsylvania income tax filings or payments.