A November 2025 court ruling suggests that COVID-era disaster declarations effectively suspended federal tax filing and payment deadlines for over three years, from January 2020 to July 2023. This means many taxpayers may have had their deadlines “turned off,” potentially allowing them to claim refunds for penalties and interest charged during that period, provided the ruling stands after appeals.
Key Details regarding the “Accidentally Shut Off” Deadlines:
- Time Period: The ruling covers the period from Jan. 20, 2020, to July 10, 2023.
- Impacted Deadlines: Many tax deadlines, including April 15, were considered suspended.
- Potential Action: Taxpayers who paid penalties or interest for missing deadlines between 2020 and mid-2023 may be able to file claims for refunds.
- Status: The decision is from a federal court, and the government can still appeal the ruling.
