On Friday, March 20, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin tweeted that the 2020 income tax filing deadline would be extended, along with payments. On Saturday morning, the Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service followed up with an official press release that the federal income tax filing due date is automatically extended from April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020.

According to the IRS press release:

"Taxpayers can also defer federal income tax payments due on April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020, without penalties and interest, regardless of the amount owed. This deferment applies to all taxpayers, including individuals, trusts and estates, corporations and other non-corporate tax filers as well as those who pay self-employment tax.

Taxpayers do not need to file any additional forms or call the IRS to qualify for this automatic federal tax filing and payment relief. Individual taxpayers who need additional time to file beyond the July 15 deadline, can request a filing extension by filing Form 4868 through their tax professional, tax software or using the Free File link on IRS.gov. Businesses who need additional time must file Form 7004.

The IRS urges taxpayers who are due a refund to file as soon as possible. Most tax refunds are still being issued within 21 days.