2020 Expat Tax Due Dates

2020 tax due dates for expats (US Person, Citizen or Permanent Resident) living outside the US and are filing 2019 tax returns. US tax is based on residency (substantial presence test), permanent residency, and citizenship. You may think of not owing any tax to the United States, but the truth is that if you are working in a low tax country then you are not exempt from the taxes payable to the US. Above all, it is very important to consult with a CPA or tax professional to understand what applies in your case in order to avoid any penalties.

Moreover, If you are an expat and are filing your returns in the US, then you should be aware of all the tax due dates for the year 2020, so that you can pay your taxes on time.

Important 2020 Expat Tax Due Dates

• March 16, 2020
• April 15, 2020
• June 15, 2020
• September 15, 2020
• October 15, 2020
• December 15, 2020

2020 Expats Tax Due Dates and Forms

16th March 2019: This due date applies for all non-personal returns which include:

1. Form 1120F for a foreign corporation with an office in the US (see below for no office).
2. Form 3520-A for Owners of Foreign Trusts (if reporting period ends on 31st December).
3. Form 1065 for Partnerships and S-Corporations.
4. Form 7004 that allows an extended period of six months to S-Corporations and to Partnerships.

15th April 2020: This due date applies to:

1. From 1040ES first estimated tax payment for the year.
2. Form 1040 US Federal tax return filing for the prior year. You will get an automatic extension period of two months if you are residing outside the US. However, interest will be levied from 15th April if you owe any tax for the last year.
3. Current year FBAR. However, you can get an automatic extension period of six months
4. From 4868 filing a federal return extension
5. Form 1120 for C-corporations

15th June 2020: This due date applies to:

1. Form 1120F for a foreign corporation with no office in the US
2. From 1040ES second estimated tax payment for the year.
3. Form 1040 US tax returns filing for those who are residing outside the US. It should be noted that interest will be levied from 15th April if you owe any tax to the US and you will also not get an extension.
4. From 4868 filing a federal return extension.

15th September 2020: This due date applies to:

1. From 1040ES third estimated tax payment for the year.
2. Extended non-personal returns (Partnerships, and S-Corporations).

15th October 2020: This due date applies to:

1. Form 1040 individuals who received a six-month expat extension.
2. FBARs that received an automatic extension period of six months.
3. Extended non-personal returns ( C-Corporation)

15th December 2020: This due date applies to:

1. Expatriates who received an additional two months extension period.

Learn more about tax services and how our CPA firm can help you save tax through tax planning and tax savings strategies.

Points To Remember:

1. As per new guidelines, if the due date for filing your tax returns falls on a weekend or a holiday, it will be automatically forwarded to the next business day.
2. Being an expatriate, you might not receive your tax documents on time. Therefore, you get an automatic extension period of two months (i.e., 15th June) from IRS and you will not have to pay any late payment penalties. If you still fail to pay your taxes on or before 15th June, then you will have to pay both interest charges as well as failure to pay penalties.
3. In a scenario where you do not receive your documents even after getting two months automatic extension period, you can request an additional extension period of four months (i.e., 15th October).
4. The interest charges are levied from 15th of April that means you should try to file your returns as early as possible. However, do not underpay your taxes by more than $1000 as it will also cost you penalties even if you had filed your returns on time.
5. If your current year self-employment income exceeds that of the previous year by more than 10%, you should revise your estimated tax payment amounts.
6. Being an expatriate, if all of your foreign bank accounts have an accumulated balance of more than $10,000 at any point during the year, you are required to file an FBAR. These accounts include all your checking accounts, savings accounts, business accounts, mutual funds, brokerage accounts, and trusts.

So, contact us today, estimate all of your tax returns payable in 2020, and avoid any penalty or interest charges payable to IRS.

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