IRS Grants Tax Relief for Hurricane Helene Victims: New Deadline Extended to May 1, 2025

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has officially announced tax relief for victims of Hurricane Helene, extending the federal tax filing and payment deadline to May 1, 2025 for individuals and businesses in affected areas. This decision comes as part of the federal response to the widespread damage caused by the storm in several southeastern U.S. states.

If your business or personal residence is located in a FEMA-declared disaster zone, you may qualify for this automatic extension—no additional paperwork required.

At Bizora, we’re here to help small businesses, CPAs, and individuals navigate disaster-related tax provisions with clarity and compliance.

Who Is Eligible for IRS Disaster Relief?

The relief applies to taxpayers in regions designated for individual assistance by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) due to Hurricane Helene.

As of now, qualifying states and counties include parts of:

• Florida

• Georgia

• North Carolina

• South Carolina

• Tennessee

• Virginia

• Alabama

To confirm if your area qualifies, check the IRS’s updated list of eligible localities at irs.gov.

What Tax Obligations Are Postponed?

For eligible individuals and businesses, the IRS has postponed the following deadlines to May 1, 2025:

• Filing 2024 individual income tax returns (Form 1040)

• Paying taxes due for the 2024 tax year

• Filing business tax returns (e.g., Form 1120, 1065) due between the disaster date and May 1

• Making 2025 Q1 estimated tax payments

• Contributing to IRAs and HSAs for the 2024 tax year

  
  

Late-filing and late-payment penalties will be waived for returns and payments submitted by the extended deadline.

How to Claim the Extension

The IRS automatically identifies taxpayers located in disaster areas using ZIP code information on tax filings. However, if you live outside the disaster zone but your records or tax professionals are located within one, you may also be eligible.

Steps to ensure compliance:

1. Check your eligibility on the IRS disaster relief site.

2. File by May 1 to avoid penalties.

3. Work with your CPA or tax advisor to adjust any payment plans or filing schedules.

   
   

How Bizora Helps During Disaster-Related Tax Disruptions

Unexpected events like hurricanes can severely impact business operations, but tax compliance doesn’t have to add stress. Bizora offers support for:

• Disaster extension verification

• Business tax return planning

• Estimated tax adjustments

• Filing logistics for displaced businesses

  
  

We also help CPAs and accounting teams manage multi-client coordination during high-impact events.

Need Help Meeting the New May 1 Tax Deadline?

If you or your business are affected by Hurricane Helene, now is the time to review your filing obligations and confirm whether you qualify for IRS disaster relief. Let Bizora help you navigate this extension with confidence and precision.

Visit bizora.ai for personalized support, compliance guidance, and real-time tax updates.