Taxpayers in two states have had their federal tax deadline extended, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced.
Americans in parts of Maine and Rhode Island have been granted a three-month extension to file and pay their tax returns due to recent severe storms and flooding in both states. Individuals and businesses now have until July 15 to file their returns and pay their taxes instead of April 15, when the rest of the country is required to file by.
"The tax relief postpones various tax filing and payment deadlines that occurred from January 9, 2024, through July 15, 2024," the IRS explained in a release issued on April 4. "As a result, affected individuals and businesses will have until July 15, 2024, to file returns and pay any taxes that were originally due during this period."
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In Maine, the extension applies to individuals and households that reside or have a business in Cumberland, Hancock, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Waldo, Washington and York counties. In Rhode Island, individuals and households that reside or have a business in Kent, Providence and Washington counties are eligible for the tax relief measure. Such extensions are only given when an area is issued a disaster declaration by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
If you believe you will still require an extension beyond the July 2024 deadline, you should request it electronically by April 15. "Though a disaster-area taxpayer qualifies to request an extension between April 15 and July 15, 2024, a request filed during this period can only be submitted on paper," the IRS explains.
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In such a case, tax returns would be due on October 15, giving a three-month extension from the point of the already extended deadline, and a six-month extension on the original April deadline. However, owed taxes will still need to be paid by July 15.
Earlier this year, the IRS announced similar measures for taxpayers in San Diego County, California, following severe storms and flash flooding in January. Anyone deemed to be in a disaster area had their tax deadline set to June 17, 2024.
"The IRS automatically identifies taxpayers located in the covered disaster area and applies filing and payment relief," the IRS said in a release at the time. "If an affected taxpayer receives a late filing or late payment penalty notice from the IRS that has an original filing, payment or deposit due date that falls within the postponement period, the taxpayer should call the telephone number on the notice to have the IRS abate the penalty."
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