IRS Issues Hurricane Irma Relief with Extended Filing Deadlines

In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma unleashed her fury in the Caribbean through the Florida Keys and up through the state of Florida.   As with Hurricane Harvey, the IRS is beginning to publish information providing various relief to those individuals and businesses located in the affected areas. 

For the federally declared disaster areas in Florida, Puerto Rico, St. John and St. Thomas caused by Hurricane Irma, the IRS has extended the due dates for returns due on or after September 4, 2017 through December 31, 2017 to January 31, 2018.  The extension generally applies to all returns due during this time period including Forms 1040 due at October 15, 2017, business returns due September 15 and October 15, 2017, excise and payroll returns due October 31, 2017 and Forms 990 due November 15, 2017.  Estimated tax payments due September 15, 2017, December 15, 2017 and January 15, 2018 are also extended until January 31, 2018.

For employers making federal tax deposits, the deposit delay granted is until September 19, 2017.  

There is no extension of time to file the annual Forms W-2, 1099-series or Forms 941 or 940 that are due at January 31, 2018.

The extension applies to: 

• any individual who resides or works within the area; 
• a relief worker working within the disaster area;
• any individual or business whose residence or business isn't in the area, but the records needed to prepare returns are located within the disaster area; and 
• any estate or trust with necessary records located within the disaster area.  

As the IRS processes all the effects of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma and disaster areas are continued to be declared, individuals and employers should continue to monitor the IRS website at https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-relief-in-disaster-situations for more updates on relief provisions.