Recent court decisions are prompting renewed discussion around how disaster relief provisions apply to Internal Revenue Service (IRS) deadlines and what actions taxpayers may take before key limitation periods expire. 

The federally declared COVID-19 disaster period may have created unexpected opportunities for taxpayers to revisit penalties, interest assessments and refund claims tied to prior tax filings and payments.

In this episode, Michael Wronsky, Managing Director and Leader of Cherry Bekaert’s National Tax Practice, and Sarah McGregor, Tax Director, discuss  taxpayer-favorable court rulings and the broader implications for businesses and individuals that incurred penalties or interest during the pandemic years. They explain how these cases could impact filing deadlines, refund opportunities and IRS procedures, while also addressing the uncertainty created by ongoing government appeals and evolving guidance.

Listen to learn more about:

  • 01:18 – Background on recent taxpayer-favorable court cases
  • 02:45 – Impact of disaster relief provisions on tax deadlines during the COVID-19 pandemic
  • 05:00 – Factors that resulted in an unusually long postponement period
  • 06:07 – Potential opportunities related to penalties and interest assessments
  • 08:15 – Protective refund claims and abatement considerations
  • 09:40 – The IRS response and pending litigation
  • 12:20 – Key timing considerations and statute of limitations concerns
  • 15:00 – Practical next steps for taxpayers and advisors

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Sarah McGregor

Tax Services

Director, Cherry Bekaert Advisory LLC

Michael Wronsky

National Tax Practice

Managing Director, Cherry Bekaert Advisory LLC

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