Some residents of 10 U.S. states are eligible to extend their tax filing deadline beyond the fast-approaching deadline this month.
All federal taxes are due on April 15, with the exception of Maine and Massachusetts, where state holidays push the deadline back to April 17. But some parts of the U.S. have had deadlines extended well beyond April due to being in a federally declared disaster area.
Residents in certain areas of the following states are eligible to extend: Alaska, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Washington, and West Virginia. The majority of these extensions have been granted due to natural disasters, such as severe storms and flooding or wildfires.
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Who Can Extend?
Alaska
The Wrangell Cooperative Association of Alaska Tribal Nation currently falls under the territory that was designated as a disaster area after a landslide, which claimed three lives. A new filing date of July 15 has been set for individuals and businesses in the area.
California
After severe storms and flooding hit the San Diego area in January, residents and businesses in San Diego County have been given an extended deadline of June 17 to file their taxes.
Connecticut
Like California, severe storms in around New London County, including the Mohegan Tribal Nation and Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, have resulted in residents and businesses being granted an extended tax deadline of June 17.
Hawaii
In Hawaii, the IRS has postponed tax deadlines until August 7 for both individuals and businesses in areas affected by the August 8, 2023 wildfires. It was originally granted until February 15, before being extended for another six months.
Maine
After severe storms in several counties back in December 2023, some Maine residents are eligible to delay their tax return until June 17 this year. Those who live or have business in Androscoggin, Franklin, Hancock, Kennebec, Oxford, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset, Waldo, and Washington counties are counted under the extended deadline.
Following further storms and flooding, the IRS later announced that residents and businesses in Cumberland, Hancock, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Waldo, Washington, and York counties have until July 15 to file.
Michigan
Michigan residents affected by the spate of tornadoes that hit the state in August last year also qualify for a tax deadline extension. Taxpayers now have until June 17 if they live or have business in the following counties: Eaton, Ingham, Ionia, Kent, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, and Wayne.
Rhode Island
Taxpayers who live or have businesses in Kent, Providence and Washington counties who experienced severe weather over the Christmas and New Year period have until July 15 to file.
Tennessee
After storms and tornadoes hit Tennessee in December 2023, a new tax deadline of June 17 has been granted for those living in Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Gibson, Montgomery, Robertson, Stewart and Sumner and Weakley counties.
Washington
Widespread fires in Spokane County in the summer of 2023 mean affected residents now have until June 17 to file.
West Virginia
Those living in Boone, Calhoun, Clay County, Harrison, and Kanawha counties do not need to file until the extended deadline of June 17 after flooding, landslides, and mudslides in August last year.
How to File an Extension for Taxes in 2024
Those who live or have business in an affected area do not need to apply for an extension: it is automatically granted by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
If you do not fall under any of the states that have federal disaster relief in place, but still need an extension on your taxes, you can get one through IRS Free File by filing a Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. This must be requested prior to April 15. This is only an extension for filing paperwork, and taxes must be paid in advance of the deadline.
What Happens if You File Taxes Late?
If you are late filing your tax return, the IRS levies 5 percent of the unpaid taxes for each month or part of a month that a tax return is late. The penalty cannot exceed 25 percent of your unpaid taxes.
If you cannot pay your taxes in full by the deadline, the IRS advises paying as much as possible and applying for an online payment plan. These plans grant the filer an immediate response without the need to call or write to the IRS.
“Interest and a late payment penalty will apply to any payments made after April 15,” the IRS advises. “Making a payment, even a partial payment, will help limit penalty and interest charges.”
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.