Democratic leaders of the House Ways and Means Committee repeated their calls for the IRS to delay the tax season deadline, similar to its extension last year, given the pandemic's ongoing effects. Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-Mass.) and Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-N.J.), in a recent statement, did not specify what the new deadline should be, but emphasized the need for one in general, given the pandemic's ongoing economic damage. 

“Last year, the tax filing season was extended by three months to July 15, 2020. We want to remind the IRS that many Americans continue to face the same health and economic challenges that necessitated an extension last year. Facing enormous strain and anxiety, taxpayers need flexibility now. We demand that the IRS announce an extension as soon as possible," said Neal.

The statement noted that, as of the end of February, the number of returns filed was down by nearly 25 percent from last year at the same time, and the number of returns processed by the IRS was down by 31 percent. Further, only 27 percent of telephone calls to the IRS are being answered, indicating that approximately three out of every 4four taxpayers trying to reach the IRS are unable to get help.

The lawmakers join accounting professionals in calling for a delayed tax deadline: The AICPA, in a recent letter to the Department of the Treasury and the IRS, called for an extension of the filing and payment deadline for the 2020 tax year until June 15, 2021. The National Conference of CPA Practitioners and the National Association of Tax Professionals have made similar calls. However, IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig has pushed back on this idea, first during congressional testimony last month and again earlier this month. The ultimate decision, however, rests with Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.