Tax Deadline and Tax Relief Updates for Individuals and Businesses Impacted by Hurricane Irma

September 13, 2017

We hope that the beaches community will recover quickly from the impacts of Hurricane Irma. Please note that if we are working on a return or other project for you with a Sept. 15 or Oct. 15 deadline, we will contact you as soon as possible.

In addition, please note the following information about IRS tax relief offered to those affected by Hurricane Irma:

• Hurricane Irma victims in parts of Florida and elsewhere have until Jan 31, 2018 to file certain individual and business tax returns and make certain tax payments:
  
  • Business returns with valid extensions that expire on Sept. 15 are extended.
  • Business and individual returns with valid extensions that expire on Oct. 16 are extended.
  • This includes the Sept 15, 2017 and Jan 16, 2018 deadlines for making 2017 quarterly estimated tax payments.
  • Individual filers who have a 2016 income tax return on extension until Oct 16, 2017.  The return filing is extended; however, because tax payments related to 2016 returns were originally due on April 18, 2017, they are not eligible for this relief.
  • October 31 deadline for quarterly payroll and excise tax returns are extended.
  • Calendar year tax-exempt organizations whose 2016 extensions run out on Nov. 15, 2017 are extended.
    
    
• In addition, the IRS is waiving late-deposit penalties for federal payroll and excise tax deposits normally due during the first 15 days of the disaster period. Check out the disaster relief page for the time periods that apply to each jurisdiction.
  
  
• Individuals and businesses who suffered uninsured or unreimbursed disaster-related losses can choose to claim them on either the return for the year the loss occurred (in this instance, the 2017 return normally filed next year), or the return for the prior year (2016). See Publication 547 for details.

The IRS is offering this relief to any area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as qualifying for individual assistance. Parts of Florida, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands are currently eligible, but taxpayers in localities added later to the disaster area, including those in other states, will automatically receive the same filing and payment relief.

The IRS automatically provides filing and penalty relief to any taxpayer with an IRS address of record located in the disaster area. Thus, taxpayers need not contact the IRS to get this relief. However, if an affected taxpayer receives a late filing or late payment penalty notice from the IRS that has an original or extended filing, payment or deposit due date falling within the postponement period, the taxpayer should call the number on the notice to have the penalty abated.

The current list of eligible localities is always available on the disaster relief page on IRS.gov. The disaster relief page has details on other returns, payments and tax-related actions qualifying for the additional time. The IRS has also stated that it will continue to closely monitor the storm's aftermath and will likely provide additional relief for other affected areas in the near future.

The IRS will also work with any taxpayer who lives outside the disaster area but whose records necessary to meet a deadline occurring during the postponement period are located in the affected area. Taxpayers qualifying for relief who live outside the disaster area need to contact the IRS. This also includes workers assisting the relief activities who are affiliated with a recognized government or philanthropic organization.

For information on government-wide efforts related to Hurricane Irma, visit www.USA.gov/hurricane-irma. If you have additional questions about your individual tax situation, please contact us! 

  Tweet  

Back to List