Hurricane Michael victims in parts of Florida and elsewhere have until Feb. 28 to file certain individual and business returns and make certain tax payments.
The IRS offers this relief to any major disaster declaration area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as qualifying for either individual or public assistance. Individuals who reside or have a business in Bay, Franklin, Gulf, Taylor and Wakulla Counties may qualify for tax relief. Taxpayers in localities added later to the disaster area, including those in other states, will automatically receive the same relief.
The relief postpones various filing and payment deadlines that occurred starting on Oct. 7. This also means individuals who had a valid extension to file their 2017 return due to run out on Oct. 15 now have until Feb. 28. (Payments related to these 2017 returns were due on April 18, 2018, and are ineligible for this relief.)
The Feb. 28 deadline applies to quarterly estimated income tax payments due on Jan. 15 and the quarterly payroll and excise tax returns normally due on Oct. 31 and Jan. 31. It also applies to tax-exempt organizations operating on a calendar-year basis that had a valid extension due to run out on Nov. 15. Businesses with extensions also have the additional time including, among others, calendar-year corporations whose 2017 extensions run out on Oct. 15.
Penalties on payroll and excise tax deposits due on or after Oct. 7 and before Oct. 22 will be abated as long as the deposits are made by Oct. 22.
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Taxpayers don’t need to contact the IRS to get this relief. 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 IRS will work with any taxpayer who lives outside the disaster area but whose records necessary to meet a deadline are located in the affected area. Taxpayers qualifying for relief who live outside the disaster area need to contact the IRS at (866) 562-5227. This also includes workers assisting the relief activities who are affiliated with a recognized government or philanthropic organization.
