The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued an important reminder that could benefit some taxpayers in qualifying States. This update is for both individuals and businesses alike who live in areas covered by 2024 disaster declarations. As a result of this change, the Agency states “that their 2024 federal income tax returns and tax payments for tax year 2024 are due on Thursday, May 1, 2025.”
What is more, the IRS also added that taxpayers in three additional states face fall deadlines. For your information, the Agency usually gives tax relief for any area designated by FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). This includes postponing various payment and tax filing deadlines. All you have to do is check if your taxpayer’s address of record is in a disaster area locality. If so, you automatically qualify for this extra time and there is no need to request it.
Where I can check the list of eligible localities from the IRS?
Actually, the full list of eligible localities is always available on the IRS official website. It will be on the Tax Relief in Disaster Situations section: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-relief-in-disaster-situations.
So far, the IRS has declared that the May 1, 2025, deadline applies to American taxpayers affected by FEMA disaster declarations issued during 2024. Here’s the full list provided by the Agency:
- Taxpayers in the entire states of:
- Alabama,
- Florida,
- Georgia,
- North Carolina and
- South Carolina
- Only in parts of:
- Virginia: Albemarle, Appomattox, Bedford, Bland and Botetourt counties; Bristol City; Buchanan, Buckingham, Carroll, and Charlotte counties; Covington City; Craig County; Danville City; Dickenson and Floyd counties; Galax City; Giles, Grayson, Greene, Lee, Madison, Montgomer,y and Nelson counties; Norton City; Patrick, Pittsylvania, and Pulaski counties; Radford City; Roanoke City; Roanoke, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, and Wythe counties
- Alaska: The City and Borough of Juneau
- New Mexico: Chaves County
- Tennessee: Carter, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Jefferson, Johnson, Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi and Washington counties
Is it possible to get an IRS filing extension?
The IRS reminds taxpayers that if they need a tax filing extension beyond May 1, 2025, for the 2024 tax year, they can still get it. However, they will have to request this extra time. Take into account that this type of extension is not an extension of time to pay your tax liability.
Make sure you file the request to get an extension of time before the April 15, 2025, deadline. Do so electronically if you are not in a diaster-area. Taxpayers living in a designated disaster area must file a paper Form.
The IRS said these taxpayers can file only on paper using Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. In this way, those who get this extension of time will have until October 15, 2025, to file.
