Tax Day for individuals extended to May 17: Treasury, IRS extend filing and payment deadline 


March 24th, 2021

The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service announced that the federal income tax filing due date for individuals for the 2020 tax year will be automatically extended from April 15, 2021, to May 17, 2021. Individual taxpayers can also postpone federal income tax payments for the 2020 tax year due on April 15, 2021, to May 17, 2021, without penalties and interest, regardless of the amount owed. This postponement applies to individual taxpayers, including individuals who pay self-employment tax. Penalties, interest, and additions to tax will begin to accrue on any remaining unpaid balances as of May 17, 2021. Individual taxpayers will automatically avoid interest and penalties on the taxes paid by May 17.  

A third stimulus check is on its way to expats A third stimulus check is on its way to expats 

The recently signed American Rescue Plan Act includes a third stimulus payment for Americans abroad, tax exclusions for unemployment benefits, and expanded Child Tax Credits. 
  
Here's what you need to know:  

  • Individuals ex-pats earning up to $75,000 annually (and married couples earning up to $150,000) will be eligible for the full $1,400 stimulus payment. 
  • The Child Tax Credit has increased to $3,000 ($3,600 for children under 6) for certain households and is fully refundable for 2021. 
  • Households with annual incomes of less than $150,000 can exclude the first $10,200 of unemployment benefits from taxation. 
  • If you didn't receive a stimulus payment from the first or second round but should have, you can claim the missing amount on your 2020 tax return using the Recovery Rebate Credit on Form 1040.