Tax Relief for Victims of Hurricane Harvey

The IRS has announced that Hurricane Harvey victims in parts of Texas have until January 31, 2018 to file certain individual and business tax returns, as well as to make certain tax payments. The returns in question are those taxpayers  that have valid extensions that would normally run out on October 16, and businesses with extensions that run out September 15. Included in the relief are the quarterly estimated payments due September 15, 2017 and January 16, 2018. Those quarterly estimated payments must be paid by January 31, 2018. However, because tax payments related to the 2016 returns were originally due on April 18, 2017, those payments are not eligible for this relief.

The IRS is offering this expanded relief to any area designated by FEMA as qualifying for individual assistance. Currently, 18 counties are eligible, but that number is expected to rise. In addition, the IRS will work with any taxpayer who lives outside the disaster area, but whose records necessary to meet a deadline occurring during the postponement period are located in the affected area. Taxpayers qualifying for relief who live outside the disaster area need to contact the IRS at 866-562-5227. Taxpayers located inside the relief area will automatically be recognized due to their address of record. Hurricane assistance workers who are affiliated with a recognized government or philanthropic organization and live outside the affected areas are also eligible for the extended relief.

Individuals and businesses who suffered uninsured or unreimbursed disaster related losses can choose to claim them on either the return for the year the loss occurred (in this case, the 2017 return filed next April) or the return for the prior year (2016).

Currently the following Texas counties are eligible for this relief program:

Aransas, Bee, Brazoria, Calhoun, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Goliad, Harris, Jackson, Kleberg, Liberty, Matagorda, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, Victoria, and Wharton.