7 states get IRS tax deadline extended to May 1 after disaster declarations

Several US states have been hit by disasters in recent months and the IRS wants to do its part to offer assistance. This comes in the form of an extension on the tax filing deadline for 2025, which was set for April 15 for the whole country.

Although this doesn’t translate into cash in affected taxpayers’ pockets, it does afford them some time to deal with the repercussions of the disasters without worrying about an imminent tax return being due.

The IRS is doing its part to support disaster victims

The United States Internal Revenue Service has acknowledged the stress that residents of states hit by recent disasters must be under. Many of them, for example, will have lost their documents, among other more pressing matters to resolve such as finding safe housing and recouping material losses.

This is why the tax body is implementing an extension mechanism to Americans in the states that have been assessed as disaster areas. These residents will have more leeway to submit their tax payments and returns for the 2024 financial year later than the original deadline of April 15. Those who submitted their returns before the disasters hit will be grateful for one less thing to worry about as they attempt to normalize their lives.

Which states have been granted an income tax filing extension?

Residents of the affected states have been given more time to get their returns together, according to the latest official IRS statement.

All counties of these states below apply:

• Alabama
• Florida
• Georgia
• North Carolina
• South Carolina

Only certain counties or areas of these states apply (which you can check on the IRS website):

• Alaska
• New Mexico
• Tennessee
• Virginia
• West Virginia

What are the extension dates for disaster-affected taxpayers?

The IRS confirmed an extension for the payment of taxes in a press release on its website:

“Currently, taxpayers in all counties of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina, and parts of Alaska, New Mexico, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia have until May 1, 2025, to file their return and pay.”

This means that filers have to pay their taxes due by May 1, whether they file their return by this date or not. A further extension can be requested for the actual filing of the income tax return until October 15. It’s vital that disaster-affected taxpayers understand that there’s no extension for the payment of funds due to the Internal Revenue Service beyond May 1, only on the filing of the return.

There’s just one further extension until November 3, but this only applies to the state of Kentucky.

Further clarity was provided:

“Electronically filed extension requests must be made by April 15. Between April 15 and May 1, the application can only be submitted on paper. For more information, visit IRS.gov/extensions.”

Important dates that apply to tax filing after extensions

These key points in the tax filing process now apply to the new filing deadline of October 15 for residents of areas that qualify for the disaster extension:

• Individual income tax returns and payments normally due on April 15 or now due on October 15.
• The same applies to 2024 contributions to any IRAs and health savings accounts.
• The 2024 quarterly estimated income tax payments that are normally due on January 15 and estimated tax payments normally due on April 15, June 16, and September 15 have shifted to the extended date.
• This also applies to quarterly payroll and excise tax returns normally supposed to be paid by January 31, April 30, and July 31.
• Calendar-year partnership and S corporation returns that would normally be due on March 17 can have the extension.
• Calendar-year corporation and fiduciary returns and payments for April 15 can now wait until the extended date.
• The date for calendar-year tax-exempt organization returns has also been extended.

The IRS hopes these measures bring some relief to US citizens whose lives have been impacted by unforeseen events such as fires and extreme weather.