As a result of legislation enacted in 2015, the filing deadlines for certain tax returns due in 2017 have changed. Congress included tax return due date legislation as a revenue provision in the Surface Transportation and Veterans Health Care Choice Improvement Act of 2015. The legislation, signed into law in July 2015, made changes to certain tax return due dates generally effective for tax years beginning after Dec. 31, 2015, making the changes applicable to 2016 tax returns filed in 2017.

Of particular significance in the trusts and estates area is the new extension deadline date for filing Trust and Estate Form 1041. The standard filing deadline remains April 15 (April 18 for 2017 due to a weekend and holiday). However, the new extension deadline is 5½ months from that date, or Sept. 30. Previously, the filing deadline was five months, or Sept. 15.

There are also a variety of changes to other due dates, including for Partnership Form 1065, which is now due March 15, and Form 1120 for C corporations that report on a calendar year, which is now due April 15. There are no changes for S corporations nor are there changes to the deadlines for individuals filing Form 1040.

Below is a chart that summarizes several of the significant changes. (((Here))) is a link to the AICPA website that gives a more detailed analysis of the changes.

Original and Extended Tax Return Due Dates

Changes are generally effective for taxable years starting after Dec. 31, 2015 (2016 tax returns prepared during the 2017 tax filing season).