IRS Grants 2024 Tax Extensions to Disaster Victims

The IRS has announced automatic tax extensions for individuals and businesses in parts of 12 states impacted by declared disasters. If you were affected by hurricanes, wildfires, floods, or severe storms, you may have extra time to file and pay your 2024 taxes without further action.

Who Qualifies

This relief is automatic for taxpayers whose address of record is in a covered disaster area. The IRS uses FEMA’s list of federally declared disaster zones to determine eligibility. You can confirm your location’s status using the FEMA disaster lookup tool. No separate application is needed to receive the extension.

Extended Deadlines

Depending on the disaster and location, the IRS has postponed several key deadlines. New due dates include:

• June 17, 2024 – Applies to affected areas in California, Connecticut, Maine, Michigan, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and West Virginia.

• May 1, 2025 – Applies to parts of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Mississippi, and Oklahoma impacted by Hurricane Helene and other disasters.

These extensions generally cover:

• 2023 individual and business income tax returns

• 2024 first- and second-quarter estimated tax payments

• Quarterly payroll and excise tax returns

• IRA and HSA contribution deadlines

What’s Covered

In addition to filing and payment extensions, the IRS is also providing penalty relief for late filings that occurred during the disaster period. The relief includes both individuals and businesses, and may also apply to certain tax-exempt organizations.

If you’re located in an affected area, check the IRS or FEMA website to confirm your eligibility. Update your filing schedule accordingly and communicate with your tax preparer. Staying proactive helps ensure you take full advantage of available relief while avoiding penalties or missed deadlines.

For more, visit the IRS Website.