The financial impact of the coronavirus has prompted California to push back the filing date for state income tax payments from April 15 to June 15 without penalty or interest.
The Internal Revenue Service may do the same thing with federal taxes based on what President Trump has said and a move that is gaining support in Congress.
At the same time PG&E has voluntarily implemented a moratorium on disconnections for non-payment effective immediately due to the public health emergency triggered by the coronavirus pandemic. The suspension applies to both residential and commercial customers and remains in effect until further notice.
Caltrans is also getting in on the act. In response to the state’s declared emergency for COVID-19, Caltrans is launching a statewide educational campaign on the state’s highways, urging all Californians to be more diligent about containing the spread of the virus. Beginning today, California’s more than 700 electronic highway signs will display the following types of public health safety messages:
COVID-19
LESS IS MORE
AVOID GATHERINGS
DISINFECT
2 PROTECT
WASH YOUR HANDS
“In support of the Governor’s declared emergency, Caltrans is taking proactive measures to help protect the public,” said Caltrans Director Toks Omishakin. “Using our highway message signs, we are reminding Californians how to help limit the spread of COVID-19.”
California’s electronic Changeable Message Signs along the highways will show the messages on a rotational basis. All messaging will be coordinated with the Federal Highway Administration and the signs will be activated when there are no critical emergency, traffic safety messages or Amber Alerts.
For the latest updates on the state’s COVID-19 preparedness and response, visit the California Department of Public Health’s website at cdph.ca.gov/covid19.
The state Franchise Tax Board Friday announced tax returns and certain payments can be delayed until June 15, 2020, in line with Governor Newsom’s March 12 Executive Order.
“During this public health emergency, every Californian should be free to focus on their health and wellbeing,” said State Controller Betty T. Yee, who serves as chair of FTB. “Having extra time to file their taxes helps allows people to do this, as the experts work to control the spread of coronavirus.”
This relief includes moving the various tax filing and payment deadlines that occur on March 15, 2020, through June 15, 2020, to June 15, 2020. This includes:
*Partnerships and LLCs who are taxed as partnerships whose tax returns are due on March 15 now have a 90-day extension to file and pay by June 15.
*Individual filers whose tax returns are due on April 15 now have a 60-day extension to file and pay by June 15.
Quarterly estimated tax payments due on April 15 now have a 60-day extension to pay by June 15.
The FTB’s June 15 extended due date may be pushed back even further if the Internal Revenue Service grants a longer relief period.
Taxpayers claiming the special COVID-19 relief should write the name of the state of emergency (for example, COVID-19) in black ink at the top of the tax return to alert FTB of the special extension period. If taxpayers are e-filing, they should follow the software instructions to enter disaster information.
The FTB will also waive interest and any late filing or late payment penalties that would otherwise apply.
In addition to the moratorium on service shut-offs, PG&E’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic is focused on efforts to protect the health and safety of its customers, employees, contractors and the communities it serves. Actions the company has taken include providing guidance for employees who have direct customer contact to take social distancing precautionary measures, such as avoiding handshakes and wearing disposable nitrile gloves while in customers' homes.
Customers who visit local offices to pay bills and are sick or experiencing symptoms are being asked to use other payment options such as online or by phone at 1-877-704-8470.
“We recognize that this is a rapidly changing situation and an uncertain time for many of our customers. Our most important responsibility is the health and safety of our customers and employees. We also want to provide some relief from the stress and financial challenges many are facing during this worldwide, public health crisis. We understand that many of our customers may experience a personal financial strain due to the slowdown in the economy related to the pandemic,” said Chief Customer Officer and Senior Vice President Laurie Giammona.
