While Tax Day looms over millions of Americans, taxpayers in at least nine states have been allowed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to file their individual income tax returns for tax year 2024 a little later, ditching the April 15 deadline.
Why It Matters
April 15 marks the federal deadline for most American taxpayers to file their individual income tax returns. The tax-collecting agency, which started accepting tax returns on January 27, said earlier this year that it expected more than 140 million Americans to file their returns ahead of April 15.
But the latest data shared by the IRS show that the agency had received nearly 1 million fewer returns by the end of March than it had during that same period last year—possibly because of uncertainty surrounding the IRS and its work, and the direction the U.S. economy is headed toward.
What To Know
Normally, taxpayers who are unable to meet the April 15 deadline can request an extension and, if they receive approval, they have until October 15 to file without penalties. They still have to make any payment owed by April 15.
But taxpayers in several states this year have received an automatic extension on their April 15 tax deadline which gives them until Thursday, May 1 to file their tax returns and make any tax payments due for tax year 2024. Others have until fall to file their returns.
A Service Center employee demonstrates the preparation of documents at the IRS Processing Facility on September 06, 2024, in Austin, Texas. A Service Center employee demonstrates the preparation of documents at the IRS Processing Facility on September 06, 2024, in Austin, Texas. Brandon Bell/Getty Images
Which States Is the Tax Deadline Extended In?
The May 1 deadline applies to taxpayers living in “disaster areas” officially designated as such by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). If a taxpayer’s address is in a disaster area locality, the IRS said, “individual and business taxpayers automatically get the extra time without having to ask for it.”
The list of taxpayers qualifying for the May 1 deadline includes:
- Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina: all taxpayers;
- Alaska: taxpayers in the City and Borough of Juneau;
- New Mexico: taxpayers in Chaves County;
- Tennessee: taxpayers in Carter, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Jefferson, Johnson, Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi and Washington counties;
- Virginia: taxpayers in Albemarle, Appomattox, Bedford, Bland and Botetourt counties; Bristol City; Buchanan, Buckingham, Carroll and Charlotte counties; Covington City; Craig County; Danville City; Dickenson and Floyd counties; Galax City; Giles, Grayson, Greene, Lee, Madison, Montgomery and Nelson counties; Norton City; Patrick, Pittsylvania and Pulaski counties; Radford City; Roanoke City; Roanoke, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise and Wythe counties.
Additionally, taxpayers in Los Angeles County, California, affected by the devastating wildfires in January have until October 15 to file their tax returns for 2024. Taxpayers in the entire state of Kentucky and in West Virginia‘s Boone, Greenbrier, Lincoln, Logan, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Monroe, Raleigh, Summers, Wayne and Wyoming counties have until November 3.
Why Is the Tax Deadline Extended in These States?
All these states have been struck by natural disasters last year, leaving affected residents struggling to piece their lives together—let alone file their tax returns on time.
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina were among the states grappling with the trail of destruction left by Hurricane Helene along its path in September of last year after it hit the Sunshine State as a Category 4 storm.
The Juneau area of Alaska was hit by devastating flooding in August 2024. Residents of Chaves County in New Mexico have to deal with the aftermath of severe storms and flooding in October of last year; residents of parts of Tennessee and Virginia are also scrambling to recover from the damages caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
What Happens if You Miss the Filing Deadline?
Missing the IRS tax-filing deadline can be costly for taxpayers. The failure-to-file penalty corresponds to 5 percent of unpaid taxes per month or partial month, according to the agency, capped at 25 percent.
