ATLANTA — After Hurricane Helene ravaged parts of Georgia in September, the federal government stepped in to provide assistance and relief.
For the 2025 tax season, the Internal Revenue Service says impacted Georgians under the coverage of the federal emergency declaration will have an extension on when their taxes are due.
Rather than the normal April deadline for businesses and individuals to file their taxes, the IRS provided an extension until May 1 to give them additional time to file returns and pay taxes that are due.
According to the IRS, the May 1, 2025, filing deadline applies to:
- Individuals and businesses that have a 2024 return normally due during March or April 2025.
- Individuals who had a valid extension to file their 2023 return due to run out on Oct. 15, 2024. The IRS noted, however, that because tax payments related to these 2023 returns were due on April 15, 2024, those payments are not eligible for this relief.
- Calendar-year corporations whose 2023 extensions run out on Oct. 15, 2024.
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So, here’s what you need to know about filing taxes if you were impacted by Hurricane Helene.
What is the covered disaster area?
The Federal Emergency Management Agency declared all 159 counties in Georgia as part of the disaster area and can qualify for tax relief.
However, there are different designations for the various types of relief and recovery.
Only 63 counties qualify for individual assistance to residents from FEMA. A full list of the designated areas in Georgia and what types of assistance are available to each one can be found online here.
Who is affected?
The IRS said that taxpayers considered affected and therefore eligible for the tax postponement are those who live in or have a business in one of the disaster areas.
However, taxpayers not in the covered disaster area but who have records necessary to meet the deadline in the area are also able to get relief.
The IRS said all relief workers affiliated with a recognized government or philanthropic organization helping with relief activities may also be entitled to relief.
Additionally, “Affected taxpayers that have an estimated income tax payment originally due on or after Sept. 24, 2024, are postponed through May 1, 2025, will not be subject to penalties for failure to pay estimated tax installments as long as such payments are paid on or before May 1, 2025.”
What counts as a casualty loss?
Taxpayers can claim casualty losses on property, items and more that may not normally be covered by insurance or reimbursement. The IRS said those include items like:
- Homes
- Vehicles
- Personal belongings such as clothes, books, electronics, etc.
- Rental properties (for businesses managing them)
What else other relief options are there?
The IRS said they will waive the typical fees and requests for copies of previous tax filings for taxpayers impacted by Hurricane Helene, but they should put the FEMA declaration number in their tax forms for the disaster.
For Hurricane Helene, the IRS said to file with the number 3616-EM when submitting for relief.
Additionally, taxpayers with retirement plans can take a special disaster distribution that is not subject to the usual 10% early withdrawal tax and will let them spread the income over three years. Hardship withdrawals are also possible, the IRS said.
Where can I get help filing?
The IRS listed the following options for getting help filing taxes after Hurricane Helene.
- Eligible individuals or families can get free help preparing their tax return at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) sites. To find the closest free tax help site, use the VITA Locator Tool or call 800-906-9887. Note that normally, VITA sites cannot help claim disaster losses.
- To find an AARP Tax-Aide site, use the AARP Site Locator Tool or call 888-227-7669.
- Any individual or family whose adjusted gross income (AGI) was $79,000 or less in 2023 can use IRS Free File’s Guided Tax Software at no cost. There are products in English and Spanish.
- Another Free File option is Free File Fillable Forms. These are electronic federal tax forms, equivalent to a paper 1040 and are designed for taxpayers who are comfortable filling out IRS tax forms. Anyone, regardless of income, can use this option.
- MilTax, a Department of Defense program, offers free return preparation software and electronic filing for federal tax returns and up to three state income tax returns. It’s available for all military members and some veterans, with no income limit.
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