If you’re living in parts of the U.S. that have recently been hit by hurricanes, floods, wildfires, or other disasters, you may be eligible for an IRS tax deadline extension for 2025, whether you know it yet or not.
The IRS has officially extended 2025 federal tax deadlines for individuals and businesses in several states, offering much-needed breathing room for those recovering from severe weather events. Here’s a breakdown of which states are impacted, why the deadlines were moved, and what this means for your taxes this year.
What’s Happening?
Due to a series of natural disasters and extreme weather events, the IRS has granted automatic tax relief to eligible filers in affected areas. This includes postponed filing and payment deadlines for individual income tax, business tax returns, quarterly estimates, and more.
If you live in an area covered by one of these declarations, you do not need to file any paperwork to get the extension. It’s automatic.
States with Extended 2025 Tax Deadlines
Here’s the most up-to-date list of impacted regions as of April 10, 2025:
Florida
New Deadline: May 1, 2025
Why: Hurricane Milton, which struck on October 5, 2024, affected the entire state of Florida.
Who’s Covered: All residents and businesses statewide.
IRS Source: irs.gov – Hurricane Milton relief
California – Los Angeles County Only
New Deadline: October 15, 2025
Why: Wildfires and straight-line winds that began on January 7, 2025.
Who’s Covered: Only taxpayers in Los Angeles County.
IRS Source: irs.gov – California wildfire relief
Kentucky
New Deadline: November 3, 2025
Why: Severe storms, landslides, and flooding that began on February 14, 2025.
Who’s Covered: Affected counties designated by FEMA and approved by the IRS.
IRS Source: irs.gov – Kentucky storm relief
Hurricane Helene-Affected Areas (Seven States)
New Deadline: May 1, 2025
Why: Damage caused by Hurricane Helene, starting September 23, 2024.
States Included:
- Alabama
- Florida
- Georgia
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Virginia
Who’s Covered: Residents and businesses in FEMA-declared disaster areas.
IRS Source: irs.gov – Hurricane Helene relief
What Deadlines Are Extended?
If you’re eligible, the following federal tax deadlines are extended:
- Individual income tax returns (Form 1040)
- Quarterly estimated tax payments
- Business income tax returns
- Partnership and S corporation returns
- Tax-exempt organization filings
- Payroll and excise taxes (for certain businesses)
In most cases, penalties and interest on these filings will also be waived during the extended period.
How to Know If You’re Eligible
- Check Your ZIP Code: Visit the IRS’s disaster relief page and enter your ZIP code to confirm eligibility.
- Automatic Relief: If the IRS has your address on file and it matches a disaster-designated area, you don’t need to take any action. The extension is granted automatically.
- Outside the Area? If you live outside a declared zone but believe you qualify (for example, if your records were stored in a disaster zone), contact the IRS disaster hotline at 866-562-5227.
What You Should Do Now
- Mark the New Deadline: If you’re in an eligible area, adjust your filing timeline accordingly.
- Organize Your Docs: Use the additional time to gather documents and finalize deductions.
- Still File Early If You Can: Even if you qualify for an extension, filing early, especially if expecting a refund, may help avoid delays.
What About State Taxes?
These relief efforts apply only to federal tax deadlines. However, many states with income taxes (like California and Kentucky) often conform to IRS disaster declarations. Check your state revenue department website to see if similar relief has been offered locally.
If you’re in Florida, Los Angeles County, Kentucky, or parts of the Southeast hit by Hurricane Helene, you’ve been given more time to handle your 2025 taxes. The IRS has extended deadlines to help those recovering from real, on-the-ground impacts, not to provide blanket delays. So if you’re not in a designated disaster zone, your standard April 15, 2025 deadline still applies.
Check your eligibility and take advantage of the time wisely.
