In the wake of Hurricane Helene, the IRS has announced tax relief for individuals and businesses in several states and counties impacted by the storm. Following a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster declaration, taxpayers in affected areas have been granted an extended deadline of May 1, 2025, to file federal tax returns and make payments.
Who Qualifies for Tax Relief?
Taxpayers residing or conducting business in areas affected by Hurricane Helene may be eligible for this relief. The IRS is offering the extension in the following regions:
- Entire States:
- Alabama
- Georgia
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Partial States:
- Florida: 41 counties, including Charlotte, Collier, Lee, and many others.
- Tennessee: 8 counties.
- Virginia: 6 counties and 1 city.
In addition to the above, the IRS has provided a complete list of eligible localities on its Tax Relief in Disaster Situations page.
Extended Deadlines
The relief applies to various tax filings and payments that are normally due between September 2024 and April 2025. Some key deadlines now extended to May 1, 2025, include:
- Individual and business returns: 2024 federal tax returns, typically due in March or April 2025.
- Extended 2023 returns: Individuals and businesses that had filed for extensions, with deadlines originally set for October 2024.
- Quarterly estimated payments: Payments due in January and April 2025.
- Payroll and excise tax filings: Deadlines falling on October 31, 2024, January 31, and April 30, 2025.
It’s important to note that payments for 2023 tax returns, which were due on April 15, 2024, are not eligible for this relief.
Penalty Abatement
The IRS is also offering penalty abatement for payroll and excise tax deposits due between September 22 and early October 2024, as long as the payments are made by the extended deadline of October 7, 2024. If affected taxpayers receive notices of late filing or payment penalties for deadlines within the postponement period, they are advised to contact the IRS for penalty abatement.
Loss Claims and Additional Relief
Taxpayers who suffered uninsured or unreimbursed losses due to Hurricane Helene can claim those losses on either their 2023 or 2024 tax returns. They have until October 15, 2025, to make this election. Additionally, qualified disaster relief payments, including government grants for personal or property damages, are generally excluded from taxable income.
Special provisions are also available for those participating in retirement plans, including disaster-related withdrawals that avoid the 10% early distribution tax. Taxpayers may also take advantage of hardship withdrawals in accordance with their plan’s rules.
Filing Without IRS Notification
The IRS is automatically applying this relief to taxpayers whose address of record falls within the disaster areas. If you have moved or your records are not located in the affected area, but you qualify for relief, you will need to contact the IRS directly at (866) 562-5227 to request assistance.
Stay Informed
For further details on specific counties, deadlines, and tax forms affected by this disaster relief, taxpayers can visit the IRS website and the “Disaster Assistance and Emergency Relief” section. Additional updates may follow as FEMA and IRS continue their assessments.
This extension is part of a coordinated federal response to help ease the financial burden for individuals and businesses recovering from Hurricane Helene. For further assistance with disaster recovery, visit disasterassistance.gov.
