PA Delays Tax Deadline Until July 15

HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania taxpayers will have until July 15 to file their 2019 personal state income tax returns, state officials announced Saturday.

The 90-day delay, announced by the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, keeps Pennsylvania in line with the federal government, which announced the same delay on Friday.

The Department of Revenue also will waive penalties and interest on 2019 personal income tax payments through the new deadline of July 15. The extension applies to both final 2019 tax returns and payments and estimated payments for the first and second quarters of 2020.

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The filing deadline is being extended at a time when Gov. Tom Wolf has ordered all non-life-sustaining businesses to close to help prevent the spread of the new coronavirus. Under Pennsylvania law, the filing deadline for personal income tax returns is tied to the federal income tax due date.

"This is a necessary step that will give Pennsylvania taxpayers extra time to file their returns and make tax payments during a difficult time for everyone," revenue Secretary Dan Hassell said. "Particularly for those who plan to meet with a tax professional to prepare their returns, the new deadline will help everyone follow the governor’s guidance to stay at home as we all work to prevent the spread of the virus."

Although the filing deadline has been extended, the Department of Revenue is encouraging taxpayers who are able to file their returns electronically to do so. This will let the department continue to process returns while commonwealth offices are closed.

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Also, if you are expecting a refund from the commonwealth, filing electronically will help avoid a delay in getting your refund.

Padirectfile
Taxpayers can electronically file their Pennsylvania tax returns for free through Padirectfile, a secure, state-only electronic income tax filing system that is available through the Department of Revenue’s website. For more information or to begin filing, visit Padirectfile.

All taxpayers who received more than $33 in total gross taxable income in calendar year 2019 must file a Pennsylvania personal income tax return.

If even more time to file is needed, taxpayers still have the option to file a request for an extension to file their Pennsylvania personal income tax return. The extension is available for up to six months.

Because commonwealth offices are closed to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, there will be additional time in certain cases for taxpayers who want to appeal a tax assessment issued by the Department of Revenue or file a petition for a tax refund with the Board of Appeals. A petition for appeals of all tax types will be accepted as timely filed if it is filed by the later of the following dates:

• 30 days after the reopening of the Board of Appeals offices; or
• The original appeal deadline.

At a White House briefing on Friday, President Donald Trump said the delay on filing and paying taxes until July 15 was done to give taxpayers more time and "hopefully by that time, people will be getting back to their lives."

Trump said that if people are expecting refunds, they should go ahead and file now so that they can get their refunds from the IRS more quickly, according to The Associated Press.

>>>Full coverage of coronavirus in Pennsylvania here.