Connecticut extends certain tax return deadlines amid COVID-19 outbreak

“To support businesses during the COVID-19 outbreak,” the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS) is granting an automatic extension of filing and payment deadlines for certain tax returns, as described below. Taxpayers who file and pay on or before the extended deadlines will not be subject to any penalties or interest.

Annual business tax returns

DRS has extended certain annual business tax returns due on or after March 15, 2020, and before June 1, 2020. The impacted returns and their new, extended filing dates and payment deadlines are as follows:

2019 Form CT-1065/CT-1120 SI Connecticut Pass-Though Entity Tax Return 

Filing date: April 15, 2020

Payment deadline: June 15, 2020

2019 Form CT-990T Connecticut Unrelated Business Income Tax Return 

Filing date: June 15, 2020

Payment deadline: June 15, 2020

2019 Form CT-1120 and CT-1120CU Connecticut Corporation Business Return

Filing date: June 15, 2020

Payment deadline: June 15, 2020

Please also note the following:

- The business tax return deadline extension does not include estimated payments. Therefore, estimated payments for business taxes are due as normal.  

- The extension includes fiscal year-end taxpayers with a tax return due date between March 15 and May 31, 2020. 

Individual income tax returns

For Connecticut individual income tax returns normally due April 15, 2020, DRS has extended the filing and payment deadline 90 days, to July 15, 2020. This extension includes Forms CT-1040, CT-1040NR/PY, and CT-1041. The deadline has also been extended to July 15, 2020, for payment of Connecticut estimated income tax payments for the first and second quarters of 2020.

Sales and use tax/room occupancy tax

On March 30, DRS granted an automatic extension of filing and payment deadlines for sales tax and room occupancy tax for certain taxpayers. The “small business” taxpayers that qualify for relief are those with $150,000 or less in annual sales tax or room occupancy tax liability. (Taxpayers that collect both must evaluate each type of tax separately to determine their eligibility.) The extended deadlines are as follows:

- Monthly filers: Returns and payments due March 31, 2020, and April 30, 2020, are extended to May 31, 2020.

- Quarterly filers: Returns and payments due April 30, 2020, are extended to May 31, 2020.

Plastic bag fee

The state’s plastic bag fee is currently suspended. Retailers are not required to collect the fee through May 15, 2020, but must start again May 16, 2020, unless notified otherwise.

What does CohnReznick think?

Connecticut is one of many states that have automatically extended certain filing and payment deadlines as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. As the situation continues to evolve, we expect more states to follow suit. Access the AICPA’s list of states that have provided relief for updates. We recommend checking back frequently.

_{Any advice contained in this communication, including attachments and enclosures, is not intended as a thorough, in-depth analysis of specific issues. Nor is it sufficient to avoid tax-related penalties. This has been prepared for information purposes and general guidance only and does not constitute professional advice. You should not act upon the information contained in this publication without obtaining specific professional advice. No representation or warranty (express or implied) is made as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this publication, and CohnReznick LLP, its members, employees and agents accept no liability, and disclaim all responsibility, for the consequences of you or anyone else acting, or refraining to act, in reliance on the information contained in this publication or for any decision based on it.}