For many, the most daunting task in October is confronting past tax deadlines, especially for those who received a six-month extension and are now facing the Oct. 15 cutoff. However, if you’ve experienced a hurricane or extreme weather event, you may have a new deadline for your 2023 tax filings.

On Friday, the IRS declared that taxpayers in Florida who have suffered from severe storms, hurricanes, or tornadoes now have until May 1, 2025, to submit a variety of federal individual and business tax returns and make certain payments. This extension includes 2024 individual and business tax returns usually due in March and April 2025, as well as 2023 individual and corporate returns that had valid extensions and quarterly estimated tax payments.

May 1 is the deadline for those affected in Florida, including Hurricane Milton victims, to file 2024 returns and settle any taxes owed.

The IRS provided comprehensive details online concerning the emergency tax relief available tailored to those who had requested extensions for their 2023 tax returns, which typically would have been due on Oct. 15.

In most cases, extensions resulting from disasters are granted automatically, allowing additional time to both file and pay taxes. The IRS also has measures in place to assist taxpayers who have their records located in affected areas, those who have just relocated to these areas, or those with tax clients based outside the impacted zones.

This year has seen a series of severe weather events—storms, tornadoes, floods, wildfires, and mudslides—prompting the IRS to offer extended deadlines to a multitude of individuals across various communities. Deadlines may differ based on the specific disaster and location, so it’s important to verify the extended deadline applicable to your region, as some deadlines might even differ within the same state.

Additional areas receiving extended filing deadlines

In specific regions, taxpayers now have until Nov. 1 to file their 2023 tax returns. These regions encompass parts of Arkansas, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and West Virginia.

Other areas have been granted a deadline of Feb. 3, 2025, for filing their 2023 federal income tax return, including all or parts of Connecticut, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, the Virgin Islands, and Washington.

The IRS automatically identifies and processes relief for taxpayers located in the designated disaster zones.

The IRS highlighted that tax relief could extend to individuals who have an IRS address linked to areas mentioned in the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s disaster declarations, as well as those returning from combat zones.

Other applicable deadlines include:

• A May 1, 2025, deadline for filing 2023 tax returns for individuals impacted by Hurricane Helene in portions of Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
• Taxpayers affected by the terrorist attacks in Israel are allowed until Sept. 30, 2025, to file their 2023 returns and remit any tax payments owed.
• Military personnel and individuals serving in combat zones typically have 180 days from their departure from the combat area to file returns and pay taxes owed.

Tax relief goes beyond just extended deadlines

For those who have endured significant disasters, there can be substantial relief options available, including the ability to claim disaster-related casualty losses for the year in which the disaster occurred or the previous year for uninsured or unreimbursed losses.

“You need to be directly affected, not merely residing in a disaster zone, to benefit from some of these provisions,” explained Mark Steber, chief tax officer at Jackson Hewitt Tax Service.

Steber noted, “There are excellent tax benefits available that can effectively help facilitate your recovery. Focus on stabilizing your life, your family, and your home first. But once that’s underway, it’s vital to review available tax relief options; they can provide a significant financial boost.”

While preparing for Hurricane Milton, Steber reflected on his own situation in Sarasota, Florida, where he had ensured his home was equipped with a generator and made other emergency preparations, planning a meal on the grill.

He advised that during a major storm leading up to Oct. 15, individuals should “prioritize safety” and prepare for the storm rather than worrying excessively about tax deadlines established following previous extensions. Safety is a priority, he asserted, even amid tax obligations.

The firm Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting highlighted on Tuesday that several key tax relief options may be available.

To assist individuals and businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, there are options like penalty-free access to retirement savings.

The company highlighted that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has reported approximately 150 federal disaster declarations this year, with seven specific to the states affected by Hurricane Helene alone. In total, 44 states, two territories, and several Native American tribes have experienced federal disaster declarations in 2024.

Last-Minute Tips

As the October 15 deadline approaches, those who procrastinate or feel overwhelmed by taxes should consider these important points:

• Ensure you submit your tax return by October 15 if you aren’t eligible for emergency tax relief.
• Verify your calculations and documents. “Don’t rush or panic to finish your taxes,” advised Steber.
• Be precise. Take your time to confirm that you’re using the right Social Security numbers and accurate figures.
• Avoid using regular mail.
• Remember, you’re not alone: The IRS estimated that around 19 million taxpayers would request extensions this year.

Henry Grzes, the lead manager for tax practice and ethics at the American Institute of CPAs, recommended that those facing the October 15 deadline take their time to review previous tax returns for missed deductions.

If an extension was filed but the return isn’t submitted by October 15, penalties and interest will revert to the original due date of April 15 for the 2024 tax year.

Filing an extension via the internet or mailing Form 4868 simply granted you extra time to submit a return; however, a significant portion of the owed tax must still have been paid by the April 15 deadline to avoid interest and late fees.

Delaying past October 15, according to Steber, can only worsen the situation.

Those who miss the October 15 deadline may face serious consequences, known as the “triple whammy.” Firstly, potential penalties for failure to file and pay taxes arise. There may also be an underpayment penalty added. Secondly, interest on the unpaid taxes and penalties compounds daily.

Steber further explained, “Many people do not realize that once caught in the chaos of tax penalties and late fees, it may require external help to address the penalties and possibly seek abatement.”

Currently, numerous tax professionals are ready to assist with tax returns due by October 15. If you don’t already have a tax preparer, you might find someone who can help you through referrals or professional connections.

Major tax preparation firms also have offices operating to meet the October 15 deadline, but don’t figure on waiting until the last possible moment.

The “Free File” program remains available online until October 15 for millions across the nation. Free File, accessible at IRS.gov, offers free tax preparation software through various commercial partners for those with an adjusted gross income of up to $79,000.

For military personnel and eligible veterans, MilTax is still available as a free service for filing federal tax returns and up to three state returns.

It’s a good idea to refer to last year’s tax return for elements commonly included, like bank account interest. Missing or mismatched information with the IRS could result in complications, such as a delayed refund.

The IRS allows taxpayers to access their Individual Online Account, where they can view outstanding amounts, payments, tax records, and more. Downloading and printing transcripts incurs no fees. New users must present photo ID for identity verification.

If you owe money, the IRS provides various payment options, including a direct online method from a checking or savings account at no cost, and you can schedule payments up to a year in advance.

Indeed, federal income taxes can be paid using credit or debit cards, or digital wallets like PayPal. However, this service comes with fees, which can vary; the IRS provides a list of applicable fees online.

Avoid Paper Checks for Tax Refunds

If you’re expecting a refund, it’s hard to understand why anyone would file for an extension if they know they’re owed money. Yet, some do so when they’re out of time or lack the necessary documents.

The average tax refund was $2,869 — an increase of 2% from the previous year — according to IRS statistics up to May 10. Overall, the IRS issued 93.94 million refunds, which is a 1% decrease from the previous year.

The majority of taxpayers opted for direct deposit for their federal tax refunds, but IRS data reveals over 7.27 million refunds were processed via check.

If you’re entitled to a refund, choosing direct deposit is strongly recommended. However, double-check your account details to ensure the IRS deposits the funds into the correct account.

Be mindful that mail systems can be targeted by criminals. “There’s no reason to receive a paper check,” Steber emphasized.

According to a February alert by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, “Criminals often steal personal checks, business checks, tax refund checks, and checks associated with government assistance programs, including Social Security and unemployment benefits.”

Once these checks are stolen, the alert warns that criminals may “quickly withdraw the funds at ATMs or transfer them to accounts they control.”

After the initial theft, criminals may misuse victims’ personal information from the stolen mail for future fraudulent activities, such as credit card or credit account fraud.

“Unfortunately, theft involving paper checks is quite frequent,” stated Matt Hetherwick, chief program officer at the nonprofit Accounting Aid Society in Detroit.

Even without theft occurring, tax filers may experience longer waits for refunds when opting for checks rather than direct deposit, in addition to potential fees for cashing checks if they lack a bank account.