LAC 61:III.2503 — Corporation Income and Franchise Tax Filing Extensions

A. Louisiana Revised Statute Title 47, Section 287.614(D) provides that the secretary may grant an extension of time to file a state corporation income and franchise tax return, not to exceed seven months, from the date the return is due.
1. To obtain a filing extension, the taxpayer must make the request on or before the tax return’s due date.
2. A taxpayer must request a state filing extension by submitting an electronic application.
3. An electronic application may be submitted via:
a. the Department of Revenue's web site at www.revenue.louisiana.gov/extensions;
b. tax preparation software; or
c. any other electronic method authorized by the secretary.
B. For taxable periods beginning on or after January 1, 2022 the secretary shall grant an extension of time to file a state corporation income and franchise tax return for the same extended period of time as the taxpayer’s federal extension, or six-months, whichever is later, with no state extension request required.
1. A taxpayer who files a corporation franchise tax return without a corporate income tax return is ineligible for a filing extension pursuant to R.S. 47:612.
2. Taxpayers described under Internal Revenue Code Section 6072(b) and (d) whose federal due date is after the Louisiana due date will be considered to have requested a federal extension and shall receive a six-month extension.
3. Taxpayers in a federally declared disaster area receiving an extension of time to file pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Section 7508A will be considered to have requested a federal extension and shall receive a six-month extension.
4. A taxpayer must mark the box on the CIFT-620, Louisiana Corporation Income and Franchise Tax Return, notating that they have timely applied for a federal extension for the same taxable period.
a. If approved for a federal extension, a taxpayer should retain a copy of their approval determination letter Federal Form 6513, Extension of Time to File, or other material evidencing that their federal extension has been approved.
b. Failure to obtain an approved federal extension shall result in the Louisiana extension being null and void and shall result in delinquent filing penalties being assessed from the original due date.
i. If a taxpayer requested reconsideration of a denied federal extension and the extension is subsequently approved, the taxpayer must attach all documents required by the IRS for approving the reconsideration request to their return in addition to a statement from the IRS or the taxpayer that the reconsidered extension request has been approved.
ii. If a taxpayer requested reconsideration of a denied federal extension and the extension request remains denied, the taxpayer must file their return without further delay and attach the IRS statement informing the taxpayer that their reconsidered extension request remains denied.
C. Filing Extension Does Not Extend Time to Pay Tax
1. A filing extension granted by the secretary only allows for an extension of time to file the tax return. The extension does not allow an extension of time to pay the tax due.
2. To avoid interest and penalty assessments, income and franchise taxes due must be prepaid on or before the original due date.