The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is offering automatic extensions for filing and paying federal taxes to people and businesses affected by natural disasters in 2024 and 2025.
This relief is for those living in areas officially declared disaster zones by FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). These automatic extensions are valid until May 30, 2025, helping taxpayers avoid penalties while recovering from disasters.
Which States Have Extended Tax Deadlines?
Several states hit by hurricanes Helene and Milton have extended their tax deadlines until May 1, 2025. These include Florida, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Alaska, New Mexico, and West Virginia (partially).
Some states have longer extensions due to different disaster situations:
- North Carolina: Extended until September 25, 2025
- Virginia: Extended until November 3, 2025, because of winter storms and flooding
- Arkansas, Kentucky, California, and West Virginia also have a deadline of November 3, 2025
Each extension depends on the specific disaster and FEMA’s official declaration for that area.
Who Qualifies for the Automatic Tax Extensions?
The automatic extensions apply only to taxpayers living or operating businesses in FEMA-declared disaster zones. This also includes relief workers connected to recognized aid organizations and individuals who were visiting the area and suffered injury or loss.
If you are outside the disaster areas, you won’t get an automatic extension. Instead, you can file Form 4868 to request a regular extension until October 15, 2025. But keep in mind, you must still pay any owed taxes by April 15 to avoid interest and penalties.
Important Details About the Extension
- No extra application is needed if you live in a disaster zone. The IRS grants the extension automatically.
- You must file your tax return and make payments by the new deadline to avoid late penalties.
- The IRS updates the list of eligible counties and disaster areas regularly, so check your status often.
To confirm if your area qualifies, you can visit the IRS website or contact your nearest IRS office. Always make sure your location is listed in the FEMA disaster zone to qualify for automatic relief.
The IRS automatic tax extensions give much-needed relief to taxpayers affected by natural disasters in 2024 and 2025. Knowing your eligibility and deadlines is important to avoid penalties and manage your finances better.
If you live or work in a FEMA-declared disaster zone, you do not need to apply for an extension — it’s automatic. Make sure to file and pay your taxes by the extended deadline.