Individual income tax deadline extended to May 17

The individual income tax filing and payment deadline has been extended from April 15 to May 17.

The Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) will continue to process tax refunds for those filing ahead of the deadline. The filing extension does not apply to estimated tax payments that are due on April 15. These payments are still due on April 15 and can be based on either 100% of estimated or 90% of actual liability for 2021, or 100% of actual liabilities for 2019 or 2020.

According to IDOR, 2.4 million taxpayers have already filed their individual income tax returns to date. More than 79% of the taxpayers that have already filed are expecting a refund this year. Last year, more than 6.4 million income tax returns were filed, and 87% of people filed electronically.

“The fastest, most secure way to receive a refund is to file tax returns electronically and request a direct deposit into a checking or savings account,” said David Harris, director of the Illinois Department of Revenue. “The filing extension for individual income tax takes effect automatically, so no further action is required by taxpayers to take advantage. For taxpayers awaiting a refund, utilize IDOR’s Where’s My Refund? to locate specific information about the status of any refund due.”

For the most up-to-date information, forms, schedules and instructions for the 2020 tax year, visit IDOR’s website at www.tax.illinois.gov.