Tax Deadline Extended for California Storm Victims

If you’re a California taxpayer affected by recent natural disasters such as severe winter storms, mudslides, flooding, etc., you might be concerned about meeting your tax obligations this year. Fortunately, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) extended the tax deadline for Californians living in disaster areas as a disaster relief measure. Here’s what you need to know.

At a glance:

• Affected taxpayers in California now have extra time (until Nov. 16) to file their income tax returns.
• The new tax filing deadline applies to individuals and businesses living in certain counties.

What is the new IRS tax filing deadline for California storm victims?

The extended tax due date for Californians living in affected areas is Nov. 16, 2023. This includes:

• Individual federal and state tax returns (typically due April 18)
• 2022 contributions to health savings accounts and IRAs for eligible taxpayers
• Quarterly estimated tax payments (typically due on April 18, June 15, and Sept. 15, 2023)
• Calendar-year partnership and S corporation returns (typically due March 15)
• Calendar-year corporate and fiduciary tax returns and payments (typically due April 18)
• Calendar-year tax returns filed by tax-exempt organizations (typically due May 15)
• Quarterly payroll and excise tax returns (typically due May 1, July 31, and Oct. 31)

You can read the official IRS.gov news release here.

How do I know if I live in an affected area?

You can qualify for relief if you live in any area designated as a disaster area by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). In California, 55 out of the state’s 58 total counties qualify. The only counties not qualifying for tax relief are Lassen, Modoc, and Shasta counties.

To double-check if you qualify for relief, see the IRS list of storms and impacted areas in California.

If you live outside the areas designated by disaster declarations, but your records were impacted, call the IRS at 866-562-5227. The agency will work with you to provide relief.

Do California taxpayers also have more time to make tax payments as part of this tax relief?

Yes, payment deadlines have been extended as well. Affected California residents have until Nov. 16 to make federal and state income tax payments.

Do I automatically get relief if I live in an affected area?

Yes, as long as your address on file with the IRS is in a designated disaster area, you will automatically receive relief without incurring any penalties.

If, for any reason, your address on record with the IRS is not located in a disaster area, you may receive a late filing or late penalty payment notice from the IRS. In this case, call the phone number provided on the notice to get your penalty abated.

Can I claim a disaster loss on my tax return when I file?

Yes, if you suffered uninsured or unreimbursed disaster losses as an individual or business, you have the option to claim them on either your 2022 tax return or your 2023 tax return that you will file next year. You can find more information on this topic in IRS Publication 547.

This article is for informational purposes only and not legal or financial advice.