After Severe Storms, IRS Extends Tax Deadline for More States

Taxpayers impacted by storms and disasters in California, New York, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Indiana have more time to file federal tax returns.

taxes post it note on bulletin board for IRS extends tax deadline
(Image credit: Getty Images)

IRS Extends Tax Deadline in Eight States: In the wake of recent severe storms and other natural disasters, many taxpayers in eight states have more time to file their 2022 federal tax returns. That’s because the IRS further extended the tax filing deadlines in California, Georgia, and Alabama, to provide relief for people in designated disaster areas in those three states. The IRS also recently extended the tax deadline for taxpayers impacted by severe weather in four other states: New York, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Indiana. (Some state tax deadlines have also been extended for those directly impacted by storms. More on that below).

In addition to more time to file, the federal tax deadline extensions also mean that affected taxpayers in those states have more time to contribute to IRAs and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). (Contributions to those accounts for the 2022 tax year would normally have to be made by April 18, 2023).

IRS Extends Tax Deadline for More States

The IRS recently extended the tax deadline for people in snowstorm-impacted areas of New York and for Mississippians impacted by the recent tornado. People in storm-affected areas of Tennessee (opens in new tab) and Arkansas also have a new IRS tax deadline

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However, the extended tax deadlines are different for each state. So, if you live in a storm-affected area in New York, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennesee, or Indiana, see the Kiplinger stories listed below for more detailed information on the IRS extended tax deadline for those states.

October Tax Deadline for Taxpayers in Calif., AL, and GA

Taxpayers in storm affected areas of California, Alabama, and Georgia have until October 16, 2023, to file various federal individual and business returns and to make tax payments, according to the IRS. 

That tax deadline extension is important because tax season is here and for most people across the country, Tax Day is April 18. But due to this IRS announcement, people in designated disaster areas in California, Alabama, and Georgia, have six more months to file their 2022 federal income tax and business returns according to the IRS. This is the second extension of the tax deadline for affected taxpayers in those three states. (The previous extension was for May 16, 2023.)

Taxpayers in storm impacted areas can also make contributions to their IRAs, and health savings accounts (HSAs) for the 2022 tax year in accordance with the tax filing deadline extension date of October 16, 2023. Just be sure to check IRA contribution limits and HSA contribution limits that apply to you.

What if you live outside of the designated disaster areas? If you live outside the designated disaster area but have records located in an affected area that impact your ability to file your taxes, you should contact the IRS at at 866-562-5227. They should be able to help you determine whether you qualify for an extension to file under this announcement. 

IRS Estimated Tax Payment Due Date Changes: AL, Calif., GA

The tax deadline extension for people in California, Georgia, and Alabama storm areas also applies to fourth quarter 2022 estimated payments. So, if you had an estimated tax payment due on January 17, 2023 for example, the IRS says that you could essentially skip that payment and instead include it with your tax return when you file on or before October 16. 

Also, if you are a farmer in the affected areas in one of the three states who normally files your return by March 1, you have until October 16 to file–you can make any estimated tax payments and pay tax due, (if any) at that time.

The new October 16 deadline for those California, Georgia, and Alabama also applies to 2023 estimated tax payments. Estimated tax payments for 2023 would normally be due on April 18, June 15, and September 15. For businesses, quarterly payroll and excise tax deadlines are also extended from those normally due on January 31, April 30, and July 31.

Estimated Tax Payment Date Changes: MS, AK, NY, TN, IN

  • If you're in an affected area of Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, or Indiana: The IRS says that the new July 31, 2023 tax deadline for people in designated disaster/storm areas of each of those states also applies to 2023 federal estimated tax payments normally due April 18 and June 15.   
  • For New Yorkers: The new May 15 tax deadline for people in designated New York storm areas also applies to 2023 estimated tax payments. So, if you had an estimated tax payment due on January 17, 2023, the IRS says that you could skip that payment and include it with your tax return when you file on or before May 15. Also, if you are a farmer in the affected areas who normally files your return by March 1, you have until May 15 to file. You can make any estimated tax payments and pay the tax due, (if any) at that time.

Are State Tax Deadlines Extended?

Generally speaking, many state tax deadlines are the same as the federal tax filing deadline (i.e., April 18, 2023). However, there are some states whose tax deadlines are not the same as the federal deadline, so it’s important to double check the deadline for your state. 

But due to recent severe weather and natural disasters, tax deadlines have been extended for some residents in California, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi. (See below).

But keep in mind that while a state might conform its filing date to match IRS extensions to file, it might not change the date that your state tax payment is due, if you owe money. So be sure to check with your state tax authority and if you’re not sure, consult a professional before you file. Knowing when taxes are due, for both your state and federal returns, can help you avoid potential penalties.

Alabama State Tax Deadline Extended Due to Storms

Alabama's Departmet of Revenue (ALDOR) announced tax deadline relief for Alabama taxpayers who live is designated disaster areas of the state. ALDOR will conform to the tax deadline relief offered by the IRS, which means that people living in storm impacted areas have until October 16, 2023 to file state tax returns and make tax payments due. See the ALDOR website for more information.

Arkansas State Tax Deadline Extended for Some

For most taxpayers, the filing deadline to submit 2022 Arkansas state tax returns or an extension to file is Tuesday, April 18, 2023. (That is also “Tax Day,” when federal tax returns are due for most people). 

However, in light of the recent severe storms and tornado, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has extended the state income tax filing date for those directly impacted. According to an executive order signed by Sanders, the tax deadline for storm victims in Cross, Lonoke, and Pulaski counties in Arkansas is extended to match the federal tax deadline extension, which is July 31, 2023. 

What is the Deadline to File California State Taxes?

What about the FTB Tax Deadline for California? The California tax deadline is usually April 18 and money owed on a California state return is due at that time. California grants an automatic extension to file a state tax return until October 16, 2023. 

But California announced that it extended its state tax filing and payment due dates for Californians in affected storm areas, to October 16, 2023. California has also expanded the impacted areas and counties.

Is Georgia State Tax Deadline Extended?

Georgia's Department of Revenue recently announced a state tax deadline extension for storm affected taxpayers to May 15, 2023

The new deadline was prompted by the storms on January 12, 2023 and the state's revenue department says that the afffected ares include: Butts, Crisp, Henry, Jasper, Meriwether, Newton, Pike, Spalding, and Troup counties.

Mississippi State Tax Deadline Extended for Some

Mississippi's department of revenue announced that it will follow the IRS tax deadline extension for residents in storm impacted areas of the state

That means that due to the tornado March 24 and 25, taxpayers who live or have a business in Carroll, Humphreys, Monroe, and Sharkey counties have until July 31, 2023 to file their state individual tax returns. The new Mississippi state tax deadline also applies to corporate income and franchise tax xreturns, passthrough entity returns and to quarterly estimated tax payments that would normally be due.

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Kelley R. Taylor
Senior Tax Editor, Kiplinger.com

With more than 20 years of experience as a corporate attorney and business journalist, Kelley R. Taylor has contributed to numerous national print and digital magazines on key issues spanning education, law, health, finance, and tax. Over the years, Kelley has extensively covered major tax developments and changes including the "Trump" tax cuts (TCJA), pandemic-era changes in ARPA, the SECURE 2.0 Act, and the numerous clean energy tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act. Kelley particularly enjoys translating complex information in ways that help empower people in their daily lives and work.