If your business was hit by disaster in 2024, the IRS might be giving you a break… whether you asked for one or not.
Let’s face it: when your community gets rocked by a storm, flood, wildfire, or any other disaster, taxes are the last thing on your mind. And the IRS knows that. That’s why they’ve quietly issued automatic filing and payment extensions for businesses and individuals in disaster-declared areas.
The best part? You don’t need to apply or jump through any hoops. If your business address is in one of the affected zones, you’ve already got extra time – automatically.
But here’s the catch: not everyone qualifies, and the deadlines vary depending on where you live or operate. So let’s break this down like a real tax strategist should.
Who Gets the Extension? And Until When?
The IRS is giving taxpayers in several 2024 FEMA-declared disaster zones until May 1, 2025 to file and pay their 2024 federal taxes. That includes:
- Entire states of:
- Alabama
- Florida
- Georgia
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Specific localities in other states, including:
- Alaska: City and Borough of Juneau
- New Mexico: Chaves County
- Tennessee: 14 counties, including Sevier and Sullivan
- Virginia: Dozens of counties and cities, from Roanoke to Radford to Wise County
If your business or personal address of record is located in any of those places, congrats — you’ve got until May 1, 2025, not April 15.
But don’t wait forever…
This is an extension to file and pay your 2024 taxes. But if you need more time beyond May 1, you must request it—and only by paper between April 15 and May 1. (Yes, the IRS still lives in the 90s.)
Special Fall Deadlines: Are You in One of These Areas?
If you’re not on the May 1 list, you might still qualify for a later deadline:
- Los Angeles County, California (Jan. 2024 wildfires):
Deadline to file and pay: October 15, 2025 - All of Kentucky + 13 counties in West Virginia (Spring 2024 disasters):
Deadline to file and pay: November 3, 2025
Please ensure that IF you’re impacted that you clarify with your taxprofessional prior to assuming that you are in any of these categories.
Important: This Is NOT an Extension to Pay Later (Unless You Qualify)
Let me be abundantly clear… this isn’t a “pay when you feel like it” situation.
For affected taxpayers, filing and payment deadlines are both extended, but only until your assigned deadline (e.g., May 1). After that, the usual penalties and interest kick in.
So if you need even more time to file, fine—get that paper Form 4868 in on time and buy yourself until October 15. But the money still needs to hit the IRS by your extension deadline, or they’ll start calculating what you owe… with interest.
What Kind of Returns and Payments Qualify?
If you’re in a covered disaster area, the following filings and payments are automatically extended:
- 2024 S-Corp and partnership returns (normally due March 17)
- 2024 individual returns (Form 1040) and payments (normally due April 15)
- Quarterly estimated taxes
- C-corp returns (Form 1120) and fiduciary returns due April 15
- Other time-sensitive IRS actions, forms, or payments
Tax Nerd Alert: You can find the full list in IRS Pub 547 if you’re into dense PDFs.
What If You’re Not In the Zone, But Your Records Are?
Good news: relief also applies to those outside the disaster area if your tax documents or records were located in an affected zone. This includes tax preparers, businesses with satellite offices, or even workers on the ground doing relief work.
If this is you, call the IRS at 866-562-5227 and explain your situation.
Tax Pro Tip: Don’t Ignore This — It’s an Opportunity
Disasters are disruptive. But IRS extensions like this are also an opportunity to regroup and get strategic.
If your business operates in one of these areas, here’s what you should do right now:
- Confirm your eligibility.
Check that your tax address on file is in an approved FEMA-declared disaster area. - Reassess your 2024 tax plan.
Use the breathing room to work with your tax strategist and explore:- Retirement contributions
- Depreciation planning
- Entity structure clean-up
- Deductions you may have overlooked
- Fix mistakes before they become penalties.
Extensions buy you time—but not immunity. If your books are a mess or you’re behind on payroll or estimated taxes, now’s your chance to get ahead.
Again, I want to be very clear here – this is not an opportunity to get comfortable with the filing dates. Unless you qualify… you’ll be penalized. And for whatever it’s worth – its not worth it, just because you do not have your ducks in a row.
Final Thoughts
The IRS isn’t always the villain. Sometimes (like now) they actually give you a break. But just because you can wait to file doesn’t mean you should. Use this time wisely, make smart moves, and come out stronger on the other side.
Need help planning ahead?
Let’s talk. Book a FREE consultation and let’s make sure you’re not leaving tax savings on the table.
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Chris is the Managing Partner at Weston Tax Associates, a best-selling author, and a renowned tax strategist. With over 20 years of expertise in tax and corporate finance, he simplifies complex tax concepts into actionable strategies that drive business growth. Originally from Sweden, he now lives in Florida with his wife and two sons.
