File 2019 and 2020 Returns by Sept. 30 for Penalty Relief

The IRS reminds taxpayers with delinquent returns that they may qualify for penalty relief if they file those returns by September 30. This relief, which the IRS announced on 08/24/2022, waives the failure-to-file penalty for certain 2019 and 2020 returns that weren’t timely filed. 

Note. This relief doesn’t apply to the failure-to-pay penalty and interest, which will accrue on any unpaid tax based on the return’s original due date.

This penalty relief includes Forms 1040 and 1120 as well as certain international information returns. 

For eligible 2019 and/or 2020 returns filed on or before September 30, 2022, this penalty relief is automatic. For taxpayers who previously filed delinquent 2019 and 2020 returns, the IRS will refund any late-filing penalty it collected.

For penalties not covered by this relief, taxpayers may use existing penalty relief procedures, such as applying for relief under the reasonable cause criteria or the First-Time Abate program.