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Alabama's Hurricane Helene Victims: IRS delivers tax relief

Individuals and businesses in Alabama impacted by Hurricane Helene are now eligible for tax relief.
Credit: AP
Debris is strewn on the lake in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Lake Lure, N.C.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The Internal Revenue Service announced Tuesday that tax relief would be available for individuals and businesses in the entire state of Alabama affected by Hurricane Helene, according to a news release. Taxpayers now have until May 1, 2025, to make tax payments and file various federal individual and business tax returns.

Following a disaster declaration from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), all residents and businesses in Alabama's 67 counties qualify for this relief. The IRS is postponing certain tax-filing and payment deadlines, allowing affected taxpayers additional time to file through May 1, 2025.

According to the release, the May 1 filing deadline applies to: 

  • Individuals and businesses whose 2024 returns are normally due during March and April 2025.
  • Individuals who had a valid extension to file their 2023 return due to run out on Oct. 15, 2024. The IRS noted, however, that because tax payments related to these 2023 returns were due on April 15, 2024, those payments are not eligible for this relief.
  • Calendar-year corporations whose 2023 extensions run out on Oct. 15, 2024

The May 1 deadline also applies to payments normally due during this period, including quarterly estimated tax payments, as well as quarterly payroll and excise tax returns. Penalties on payroll and excise tax deposits due on or after Sept. 22, 2024, and before Oct. 7, 2024, will also be abated as long as the tax deposits are made by Oct. 7, 2024, according to the release. 

The IRS says that it will automatically identify and apply filing and payment relief to taxpayers in the covered disaster area. Affected taxpayers who live or have a business outside the covered areas should contact the IRS disaster hotline at  866-562-5227 to request relief. 

For more information about affected taxpayers, casualty losses and more, click here.

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