IRS Announces Tax Relief for San Diego County Residents
In response to the impact of severe storms and flooding that began on January 21, 2024, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced tax relief measures for individuals and businesses in San Diego County, California. This announcement gives those grappling with the aftermath of these events additional time to manage their tax obligations.
If other California areas are added to the disaster area, the same relief will be available to businesses and individuals in that locality. You can check the current list on the IRS’s disaster relief page.
Extended Filing and Payment Deadlines
The cornerstone of the IRS’s relief effort is the extension of various tax filing and payment deadlines. Residents and business owners in the affected areas now have until June 17, 2024, to file their federal individual and business tax returns and make any payments initially due from January 21, 2024, through June 17, 2024. The June 17, 2024 extension covers an array of tax-related responsibilities, including:
- Individual income tax returns and payments normally due on April 15, 2024.
- 2023 contributions to IRAs and health savings accounts for eligible taxpayers.
- 2024 estimated tax payments normally due on April 15, 2024.
- Quarterly payroll and excise tax returns normally due on January 31 and April 30, 2024.
- Calendar-year partnership and S corporation returns normally due on March 15, 2024.
- Calendar-year corporation and fiduciary returns and payments are normally due on April 15, 2024.
- Calendar-year tax-exempt organization returns normally due on May 15, 2024.
The IRS also announced that penalties associated with the late deposit of payroll and excise taxes, due immediately following the onset of the storms, will be waived, provided these deposits were completed by February 5, 2024.
How to Obtain Relief
The IRS will automatically apply this filing and penalty relief to taxpayers whose record addresses fall within the disaster area. Thus, affected individuals and businesses do not need to contact the IRS to request extensions. However, those who may not have an IRS address of record in the disaster zone, perhaps due to a recent move, and receive a penalty notice for filings or payments due during the postponement period can have these penalties abated by contacting the IRS directly.
The relief also extends to taxpayers outside the disaster area whose records are necessary for meeting deadlines and located within the affected regions. These individuals are encouraged to contact the IRS at 866-562-5227 to discuss their eligibility for relief, including workers affiliated with recognized government or philanthropic organizations assisting in relief efforts.
Additional Information and Future Extensions
The IRS urges taxpayers who require more time beyond the June 17 extension for their 2023 tax filings to request an electronic extension by April 15, 2024. It’s important to note that while an extension grants additional time to file, it does not extend the time to pay taxes due, which remains June 17, 2024.
In light of the disaster, the IRS is also allowing for more flexible approaches in claiming uninsured or unreimbursed disaster-related losses, either on the return for the year the loss occurred or the prior year’s return, further aiding those affected by these events.
We’re Here to Help
The extended deadlines and additional relief measures announced by the IRS will help Californians navigate the aftereffects of severe storms and flooding. If you have questions about the information outlined above or need assistance, JLK Rosenberger can help. For additional information, call 949-860-9902 or click here to contact us. We look forward to speaking with you soon.