Understanding the Kwong Ruling: A Potential Path to Recover COVID-Era Tax Penalties

For many individuals and business owners, the COVID-19 pandemic wasn't just a health crisis; it was a period of intense financial confusion. If you found yourself paying IRS tax penalties and interest between 2020 and 2023, a recent decision by the U.S. Court of Federal Claims suggests those charges might have been assessed in error. Here is what you need to know about the Kwong vs. United States ruling and how it could put money back in your pocket.

The Core of the Kwong Decision

In a significant move for taxpayers, the court ruled that the Internal Revenue Code (specifically the 2019 version of Section 7508A(d)) mandated an automatic extension of tax deadlines during federally declared disasters. While the IRS argued that they had the authority to limit these extensions to one year, the court disagreed.

The ruling determined that for the COVID-19 emergency, the mandatory extension period effectively ran from January 20, 2020, through July 10, 2023. Consequently, legal filing and payment deadlines were pushed to July 2023. This implies that "failure-to-file" or "failure-to-pay" penalties charged during this window may be invalid.

Tax documents and calculator on a desk

Strategic Steps for Affected Taxpayers

If you believe you paid penalties that should now be void, taking proactive measures is essential. The government may appeal this decision, so acting now preserves your rights.

1. Review Your Transcripts

First, verify if you were assessed penalties or interest between the critical dates of January 20, 2020, and July 10, 2023. You can access this data free of charge via the Get Transcript tool on IRS.gov. While you can request these by mail (Form 4506-T) or phone (800-908-9946), the online download is the fastest way to see where you stand.

2. File a Protective Refund Claim

This is the most critical step. Because the IRS is likely to challenge the Kwong ruling, we recommend filing a "protective claim" using Form 843 (Claim for Refund and Request for Abatement). A protective claim acts as a placeholder. It stops the statute of limitations clock from running out while the courts finalize the appeal process. If the ruling is upheld, your place in line for a refund is already secured.

3. Leverage Automatic Relief

It is also worth noting that beginning in 2026, the IRS plans to apply First-Time Abatement (FTA) automatically to eligible taxpayers with clean three-year histories, offering another route for penalty relief.

Deadlines and Next Steps

Time is of the essence regarding the statute of limitations. According to the ruling, claims for refunds related to this decision must be filed by July 10, 2026 (three years from the legally recognized deadline).

Navigating protective claims can be complex. If your review of tax transcripts shows substantial penalties during the pandemic era, please contact our office. We can help you file the necessary paperwork to ensure you don't miss out on a potential refund due to a technicality.

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