Due to the coronavirus pandemic, federal tax returns are due on July 15 this year, the same day tax payments are due.

If you can't get everything together to file your taxes by then, you can request an extension to push your due date back to October, but any unpaid balance will still be due in July.

The July 15 deadline applies to federal taxes only. State tax deadlines vary by state.

You can find free tax filing if your AGI was below $69,000 last year, or if you earned more but have a simple tax situation.

This post has been reviewed for accuracy by Thomas C. Corley, CPA.

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Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the IRS is providing relief for taxpayers by extending the federal tax deadline 90 days.

If you're expecting a refund, you should still file your tax return as soon as possible. The IRS refund schedule has been delayed by the pandemic, but the fastest way to get your refund remains the same: File electronically and choose for direct deposit.

Are taxes being delayed in 2020?

Yes — federal tax returns and tax payments for income earned in 2019 are due on Wednesday, July 15. If you owe a balance, there will be no penalty for deferring your payment and no interest will accrue during this period.

State tax deadlines vary, but many have also adopted the July deadline.

Taxpayers with complicated returns who want to file an extension with the IRS — which pushes the federal due date back to October — can still do so.

Filing an extension is free and there are different options for individuals and businesses. Keep in mind that if you file for an extension, you're also delaying your refund if you're owed one.

How to file a tax return

If your income was less than $69,000 in 2019, you can file your federal tax return — and maybe your state return — for free; the IRS lists around 10 different tax preparers on its Free File Lookup tool, including H&R Block and TurboTax. Some companies will let you prepare and file your return for free, regardless of income, if your tax situation is simple.

In order to submit your tax return, you first need a W-2 form, or Wage and Tax Statement, from every employer you had during 2019. If you're a freelancer, you'll need 1099 forms.

When are taxes due if you file an extension?

If you can't get everything together for the deadline, you can file for a tax extension with the IRS, which pushes the due date back six months to October 15.

Filing a tax extension doesn't mean you're off the hook for any unpaid federal income taxes you owe. This year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the IRS has extended the deadline for tax returns and tax payments to July 15. Even if you aren't required to file until October, your unpaid balance will be due on July 15, barring further relief from the IRS.

A tax bill is the result of underpaying taxes throughout the year; either your employer didn't withhold enough money from your paycheck to cover your taxes, or if you're self-employed, you didn't pay enough estimated quarterly taxes.

What's the penalty for paying taxes late?

The IRS is making an exception to the usual late charges this tax season, giving taxpayers until July 15 to pay their balance interest- and penalty-free.

But if you don't pay your tax bill in full by the deadline — whether you file an extension or not — you'll pay a penalty, usually 0.5% to 1% of any unpaid tax owed at the deadline, charged each month the tax remains unpaid (the total possible penalty is 25% of the amount owed). On top of that, you may be assessed interest on top of any tax and penalties due on Tax Day.

However, the penalty is usually waived for taxpayers who file an extension and paid at least 90% of their tax liability throughout 2019.

When will I get my refund?

The IRS recommends electronically filing and requesting direct deposit for your refund to receive it as soon as possible. You'll typically get your federal tax refund within three weeks, rather than the standard six weeks, and it's safer than getting a check in the mail.

For taxpayers claiming credits, like the Earned Income Tax Credit and additional Child Tax Credit, refunds may take longer.

You can check the status of your refund using the IRS's refund-tracking service within 24 hours of filing a tax return online. The IRS updates its system daily, usually overnight.

States that tax income also issue refunds, and you can check the status of your refund on your state's government website.