The people whose lives have been devastated by Hurricane Helene obviously are not thinking about taxes. But the Internal Revenue Service has acted to officially ensure that they don’t have to worry about this for a while.
The IRS has announced disaster tax relief for all individuals and businesses in seven states that were affected by the deadly hurricane, which made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend as a category 4 and then proceeded to wreak havoc across the south.
Major disaster declarations have been issued by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the entire states of Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, as well for 41 counties in Florida, eight counties in Tennessee, and six counties and one city in Virginia. These taxpayers now have a May 1, 2025, deadline to meet various tax obligations.
I’ll get to the disaster tax relief details in a minute, but first I want to look at how the rest of us can help those as they start what will be a long journey in recovering their pre-Helene lives.
Helping Helene’s victims: The first thing is stay out of the region unless you are an authorized volunteer for a legitimate relief agency.
Roads are at best damaged, a lot are blocked by downed trees and other debris, and many are simply washed out by the storm’s rain-induced flooding. Residents and recovery personnel don’t need anyone who doesn’t have a specific job helping to get in the way.
Speaking of that help, Uncle Sam is on top of it. The Defense Department has been given the go-ahead from President Joe Biden to deploy up to 1,000 active duty soldiers to supplement states’ recovery efforts.
FEMA has more on the on-the-ground efforts being provided by 4,500 federal employees, including 1,000 of its staff.
More than 500 IRS customer service phone assistors from Dallas and Philadelphia are helping answer FEMA disaster relief phone lines. And agents with the IRS Criminal Investigation are helping with search and rescue teams, as well as assisting FEMA with security and protection for relief teams and their equipment.
Donations needed: As for the rest of us, we can help by donating dollars to reputable relief agencies. This includes the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, the United Way, and Americares.
Each of these organizations has a long history of helping in the aftermath of major disasters. The Red Cross also is providing assistance with finding friends and family impacted by the storm.
World Central Kitchen also has one kitchen already distributing meals in hard-hit Ashville, North Carolina. Donations can help it continue that service and expand as needs and conditions warrant.
Several of the affected states also have their own disaster recovery programs, most of which accept public donations.
The North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund helps nonprofits working to meet the immediate needs of Hurricane Helene victims in the state, such as food and water, cleaning supplies, and other emergency supplies. All donations will directly support disaster relief.
The North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund uses donations to support nonprofits working to meet the immediate needs of storm victims, like food and water, cleaning supplies, and other emergency supplies.
South Carolina’s One SC Fund directs donations to local nonprofits that provide disaster relief and recovery. The Palmetto State’s Emergency Management Division also has information for people interested in donating clothes, giving to food banks, or if you’re a local resident ways to volunteer.
The Virginia Disaster Relief Fund provides financial assistance to help Old Dominion residents recover from disasters and emergencies, including those that do not cause property damage but which require human services. The fund doesn’t yet have on online donation option, but you can mail a check, payable to Treasurer of Virginia and with Virginia Disaster Relief Fund noted in the memo line to —
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Virginia Department of Emergency Management |
The Georgia Emergency Management (GEMA) and Homeland Security Agency has compiled a list of counties and organizations welcoming donations. The web page also has listed distribution points across the state where affected individuals can pick up essential items. If you don’t find your area there, keep check. GEMA says it will continuously update the list.
The Florida Commission on Community Service, also known as Volunteer Florida, receives federal and state funding to support its efforts to expand national service, promote disaster resiliency, and advocate for volunteerism in Florida. In disasters like Helene, its Florida Disaster Fund distributes donations to service organizations that help people with disaster response and recovery.
If you give to any of these groups, read their organizational information. In many cases, if you itemize, you can claim your gift as a tax deductible charitable donation.
Tax relief specifics for affect areas: Now back to those who now qualify for Hurricane Helene tax relief, which includes a new May 1, 2025, deadline to meet various tax filing and payment obligations.
As noted earlier, the relief applies to all taxpayers in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. In addition the Helene tax relief applies to filers in —
- 41 counties in Florida: Alachua, Bay, Bradford, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, Columbia, Dixie, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hernando, Hillsborough, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Monroe, Okaloosa, Pasco, Pinellas, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington.
- eight counties in Tennessee: Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington.
- and six counties and one city in Virginia: Grayson, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, and Wythe counties, and the city of Galax.
The IRS has postponed various tax filing and payment deadlines for the disaster area residents and business owners, based on when the storm damage occurred in the areas. The beginning dates are Sept. 22 in Alabama; Sept. 23 in Florida; Sept. 24 in Georgia; Sept. 25 in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia; and Sept. 26 in Tennessee.
In all of these states, the new deadline for affected tax obligations is May 1, 2025. This includes —
- Any individual or business that has a 2024 return normally due during March or April 2025.
- Any individual, business or tax-exempt organization that has a valid extension to file their 2023 federal return. Note, however, that payments on these returns are not eligible for the extra time because they were due last spring before the hurricane occurred.
- 2024 quarterly estimated income tax payments normally due on Jan. 15, 2025, and 2025 estimated tax payments normally due on April 15, 2025.
- aQuarterly payroll and excise tax returns normally due on Oct. 31, 2024, and Jan. 31 and April 30, 2025.
The IRS also notes that it has extended previously granted tax relief that was issued following Tropical Storm Debby. Instead of the original Feb. 3, 2025, due date, those individual and business filers who also were affected by Helene will now have one consolidated deadline of May 1, 2025.
In addition, the IRS is also providing penalty relief to businesses that make payroll and excise tax deposits. Relief periods vary by state. The agency’s Around the Nation has details.
You also can check by date at the IRS’ tax relief in disaster situations page.
The IRS’ disaster assistance and emergency relief for individuals and businesses page also has details on other returns, payments, and tax-related actions qualifying for relief during the postponement period.
You also might find these items of interest:
- Resources to help deal with major natural disasters
- Considerations in making a major disaster tax claim.
- Hurricane season 2024 looks to be fulfilling its most-active forecast. Get ready now.
- Storm Warnings: Preparing for, recovering from, and helping those affected by natural disasters
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