Iowa Department of Revenue Follows IRS in Extending Farmer Deadline

February 28, 2019 | Kristine A. Tidgren

IDOR announced on February 28, 2019 that it too would grant an extension to the March 1 deadline for farmers and fishermen who did not make estimated tax payments by January 15, 2019. These farmers will have until April 30 to file their Iowa returns and pay their income taxes without incurring estimated tax penalties. The notice states:

The Iowa Code and administrative rules allow the Director of Revenue to provide further time for filing returns if good cause exists and to waive penalties for underpayments of estimated tax if the underpayment was due to unusual circumstances and imposition would be against equity and good conscience. On February 28, 2019, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued notice 2019-17 which provides an extension through April 15, for farmers and fishermen to make estimated payments before being subject to estimated tax penalties. The Director finds that this extension and waiver by the IRS is an unusual circumstance warranting a similar extension and waiver for Iowa income tax purposes.