The IRS is giving Hurricane Harvey victims some tax relief after parts of Texas were destroyed by the natural disaster. Taxpayers in the affected parts of Texas have until January 31st, 2018 to file certain individual and business tax returns. The IRS announced that victims could also wait to make certain tax payments until the new deadline. This new deadline includes additional filing extensions for those who have valid extensions that run out on October 16th.

The IRS is giving the extra relief to any area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as qualifying for individual assistance. Right now, there are 18 counties eligible, but that could grow and those in the areas added later will automatically receive the same filing and payment relief. All affected individuals and businesses will have until January 31st of next year to file all returns and pay any taxes that were originally due during this period. This includes the quarterly estimated tax payment deadlines of September 15th, 2017 and January 16th, 2018. The relief does include 2016 tax returns that received an extension to October 16th, but it does not cover the original tax payments that were due April 18th.

Business affected by Hurricane Harvey also are getting relief as well. The IRS is extending several business tax deadlines including the October 31st deadline for quarterly payroll and excise tax returns. Along with the extensions, the IRS is also waving late-deposit penalties for federal payroll and excise tax deposits normally due on or after August 23rd, if the deposits are made by September 7th.

The IRS will also automatically provide filing and penalty relief to any taxpayer with an IRS address of record located in the disaster area. Taxpayers do not need to contact the IRS to get this relief. If you do receive a late filing or payment penalty, you should call the number on the notice you receive to have the penalty abated.
The tax relief is part of a coordinated federal response to the damage caused by severe storms and flooding and is based on local damage assessments by FEMA. You can find out more information on the types of disaster relief the IRS is offering by visiting their website.