The Internal Revenue Service has announced that the federal income tax filing due date for the 2020 tax year will be automatically extended from April 15, 2021, to May 17, 2021. The IRS will be providing formal guidance in the coming days.

The 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.

The postponement does not apply to estimated tax payments that are due on April 15, 2021. These payments are still due on April 15.

The postponement also does not affect state filing dates. Individual states will address this issue on their own.