Bookkeeping Unbound

6-Month Filing & FBAR Extensions Deadline

For taxpayers who have extensions to file their 2020 returns, the filing due date for those returns is Friday, October 15, 2021.

The October 15 deadline to file under an extension applies to several common returns, including:

2020 INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAXES:

Most individual taxpayers who requested an extension to file their 2020 federal tax returns must file by October 15. However, additional extensions may be available to some taxpayers affected by recent disasters.

2020 CORPORATE INCOME TAXES:

The October 15 deadline also applies to C corporations that requested an extension to file their 2020 corporate income tax returns (Form 1120).

FOREIGN BANK ACCOUNT REPORT (FBAR):

Many U.S. taxpayers, including individuals and businesses, must file an annual report of their foreign bank and other financial accounts, called an FBAR. Typically, filing an FBAR is necessary if the total value of a taxpayer's foreign accounts exceeds $10,000 at any time during the calendar year. However, certain accounts, such as those held within a qualified IRA or other retirement plan, may not need to be reported. Most taxpayers who are required to file a 2020 FBAR and have not yet done so must file by October 15.

Remember that in general, an extension to file tax returns is NOT an extension to pay any tax due. Therefore, those who have not yet filed but expect to owe 2020 tax should estimate the amount they owe and pay that amount as soon as possible, even if they will not file their returns until October 15. Immediate payment will minimize any interest charges and late payment penalties.