WASHINGTON, DC-Today, Ways and Means Democrats, led by Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ), requested that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) extend the tax return filing season beyond April 15, 2021, given the ongoing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic. In their letter to IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig, the lawmakers referred to last year’s three-month extension of the tax filing season to July 15, 2020, and reminded the IRS that many Americans continue to face the same health and economic challenges that necessitated an extension last year.
“One year later, another unique filing season is underway, and many of these same pandemic-related difficulties and challenges persist for taxpayers, practitioners, and the IRS," the Ways and Means Democrats wrote to Commissioner Rettig. “For starters, health and safety concerns continue to keep taxpayer assistance sites closed and taxpayers homebound. As a result, taxpayers are having a much harder time receiving the crucial assistance they are accustomed to and require. These challenges are especially acute for low-income taxpayers with limited digital or English proficiency.
“Further, an added challenge this year is the condensed filing season, as April 15 will come just two months after the opening of the 2021 filing season. We are troubled that this reduced timeline will exacerbate difficulties for many taxpayers who may be unprepared for the amount due with their return and will have no savings to turn to and less time to consider their options. Importantly, as well, the IRS is still processing millions of returns from last year and has had less time to adjust to the training and safety needs of newly-hired or recalled employees."
The lawmakers concluded their letter by requesting that the IRS consider an extension of the tax return filing season with an announcement made as soon as possible, in order to eliminate unnecessary taxpayer and practitioner anxiety.
