Revenue department extends personal income tax return deadline

Taxpayers in the commonwealth have an extra 90 days to file their 2019 Pennsylvania personal income tax returns, as the deadline has been extended from April 15 to July 15.

Penalties and interest on 2019 personal income tax payments have also been waived through this new deadline, according to a recent announcement from the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue.

State revenue department officials announced changes last week to the due date for filing personal income tax returns amid Gov. Tom Wolf’s mandated closure of non-life-sustaining business operations to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The extension falls in line with the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS’s) extension of the federal filing of tax returns to July 15.

“This is a necessary step that will give Pennsylvania taxpayers extra time to file their returns and make tax payments during a difficult time for everyone,” said state Revenue Secretary Dan Hassell. “Particularly for those who plan to meet with a tax professional to prepare their returns, the new deadline will help everyone follow the governor’s guidance to stay at home as we all work to prevent the spread of the virus.”

State revenue department officials are still urging taxpayers who are able to file their returns electronically to do so, which will enable the department to continue to process returns while commonwealth offices are closed.