Refund Opportunity: How the Kwong vs. U.S. Ruling Could Reverse Your IRS Penalties

Running a business during the pandemic required navigating unprecedented uncertainty. If your company incurred IRS tax penalties or interest during that volatile period, a recent federal court decision suggests you may have paid the government more than legally required. For business owners focused on cash flow and financial control, this is a critical development worth reviewing.

The Kwong Decision: Redefining the Relief Window

In the case of Kwong vs. United States, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims delivered a ruling that challenges how the IRS applied deadlines during the COVID-19 disaster declaration. The IRS originally maintained that automatic extensions were limited to one year.

However, the court ruled that under the 2019 version of Internal Revenue Code Section 7508A(d), the mandatory extension of tax deadlines should have applied throughout the entire federally declared disaster period. Effectively, this moves the legal deadline for certain filings and payments from early 2020 all the way to July 10, 2023.

Money and tax documents representing potential refunds

What This Means for Your Business

If the IRS is forced to accept this extended timeline, any "failure-to-file" or "failure-to-pay" penalties assessed against you between January 20, 2020, and July 10, 2023, may have been invalid. This opens a specific window for taxpayers to reclaim capital that was lost to these assessments.

Strategic Steps to Preserve Your Refund Rights

At Lizza & Carullo, we believe in being proactive rather than reactive. Because the government may appeal the Kwong decision, we recommend taking specific steps now to "lock in" your potential eligibility before the statute of limitations expires.

  • Audit Your Account Transcripts: Your first move is to identify if penalties or interest were charged to your account during the relevant window (Jan 2020 – July 2023). You can review these via the Get Transcript tool on IRS.gov. While you can order by mail (Form 4506-T) or phone (800-908-9946), the online tool provides the immediate data needed for decision-making.
  • File a Protective Claim (Form 843): This is the most critical step. A protective claim acts as a placeholder. It stops the clock on the statute of limitations while the courts finalize the appeal process. You will file a Claim for Refund and Request for Abatement on Form 843.
  • Leverage the Ruling for Abatement: If you currently owe outstanding penalties from this period, this court ruling can be cited as justification in an abatement request.
  • Plan for Future Relief: Looking ahead to 2026, the IRS intends to automate First-Time Abatement (FTA) for eligible taxpayers with clean three-year histories, simplifying how we handle minor compliance hiccups in the future.

Gain Year-Round Financial Clarity and Confidence
Partner with Lizza & Carullo CPAs & Advisors for ongoing guidance, proactive tax planning, and strategic financial support. Whether you’re growing a business or navigating personal taxes, our year-round advisory approach helps you stay organized, tax-efficient, and in control — with a team that’s here when you need us, not just at tax time.
Schedule Your Discovery Call

Deadlines and Next Steps

To benefit from this ruling, claims generally must be filed within three years of the legally recognized deadline. Based on the Kwong decision, the final cutoff to submit your claim is July 10, 2026.

Whether you are a local business here in East Rutherford or a client we serve nationwide, ignoring this could mean leaving money on the table. We recommend reviewing your transcripts immediately. If you identify substantial penalties paid during the pandemic, contact our office. We can help you file a protective claim to ensure your business remains positioned to recover these funds if the ruling holds.

Gain Year-Round Financial Clarity and Confidence
Partner with Lizza & Carullo CPAs & Advisors for ongoing guidance, proactive tax planning, and strategic financial support. Whether you’re growing a business or navigating personal taxes, our year-round advisory approach helps you stay organized, tax-efficient, and in control — with a team that’s here when you need us, not just at tax time.
Schedule Your Discovery Call
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