Washington News

In IR-2023-174, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reminded taxpayers in California, Alabama and Georgia that their tax returns and certain tax payments for 2022 are due on Monday, October 16, 2023.

Many taxpayers in these states experienced natural disasters and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) declared certain counties qualified as federal disaster areas.

1. Alabama — Storms, winds and tornadoes on January 12, 2023 caused counties Autauga, Barbour, Chambers, Conecuh, Coosa, Dallas, Elmore, Greene, Hale, Mobile, Morgan, Sumter and Tallapoosa to be declared disaster zones.
2. Georgia — The January 12 storm also led to disaster designations for Butts, Crisp, Henry, Jasper, Meriwether, Newton, Pike, Spalding and Troup counties.
3. California — Three disasters that included exceptional drought, fire and flooding led to FEMA designations for 55 of 58 California counties. The only exceptions are Lassen, Modoc and Shasta counties.

There are multiple benefits for taxpayers with the natural disaster tax deferrals. The benefits include 2022 individual income tax returns and payments may be delayed. Another benefit is the opportunity to make a 2022 contribution to an IRA or a health savings account (HSA) prior to October 16. There are delays permitted for quarterly estimated tax payments. Partnerships and corporations may also qualify for a delay of their tax returns and some excise tax returns.

The IRS reminded taxpayers in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina they may also qualify for extensions due to Hurricane Idalia. These taxpayers have until February 15, 2024 to file. This delay is only for filing and not for tax payments. The fire in Lahaina, Maui also led to a FEMA designation of Maui and Hawaii counties. Similarly, taxpayers in these two counties must pay on time, but may delay filing until February 15, 2024.

The IRS connects the address of record for taxpayers with FEMA designations and automatically provide filing and penalty relief. You do not need to contact the IRS. If you are in one of the designated areas and receive a late filing or penalty notice, you should call the number on the notice to have the penalty removed.

Some taxpayers live outside the designated disaster areas but may also qualify. This group includes workers for a recognized government or nonprofit organization who are assisting with relief activities in the disaster area. There is additional information on disaster recovery at DisasterAssistance.gov.