The Internal Revenue Service announced IRS disaster tax relief for New York taxpayers in Suffolk County, extending the time to file federal income tax returns and make payments until February 3, 2025. The relief follows a federally declared disaster after severe storms and flooding in August 2024 that caused widespread damage.
The IRS issued its disaster assistance announcement on September 10, 2024, following the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s disaster declarations for Suffolk County. The covered disaster area includes communities hit by severe storms and flooding beginning August 18, 2024. Affected taxpayers have until February 3, 2025, to meet federal obligations without penalties.
The relief postpones the due date for various tax return filings and payments. This includes:
These obligations now share a unified deadline of February 3, 2025, offering additional time to file and pay.
The IRS automatically applies the postponement to taxpayers whose principal residence or principal place of business is in Suffolk County. No separate application is required. The agency will identify eligible records using taxpayer addresses on file and apply disaster assistance without further action.
The notice also confirms that penalties for late filing or payments during the postponement period will be waived. Taxpayers who receive a penalty notice can respond by contacting the number listed on the letter to have it removed. The IRS will also waive fees for requests to retrieve past documents, including previously filed returns, provided taxpayers mark the FEMA declaration number on their application.
Casualty loss deductions may be claimed on either 2023 or 2024 returns, allowing impacted individuals and businesses flexibility in reporting disaster-related losses. Refund requests will continue to be processed, and the IRS advises taxpayers to maintain records supporting claims.
Disaster assistance is provided when the Federal Emergency Management Agency issues disaster declarations that formally recognize a community as a federally declared disaster area. Once this step occurs, the IRS can activate authority under Section 7508A of the Internal Revenue Code, allowing for the postponement of deadlines tied to federal income tax return filings and related payments.
The relief applies when a taxpayer’s principal residence, principal place of business, or tax records are in the disaster area. This ensures that individuals, corporations, and other entities impacted by a natural disaster are not penalized for missed obligations while focusing on recovery. Comparable relief also extends to armed forces personnel serving in a combat zone or contingency operation, reflecting a broader framework designed to support people in extraordinary circumstances.
The Suffolk County storms began on August 18, 2024, bringing heavy flooding, property damage, and business disruption. The subsequent disaster declarations created the legal pathway for the IRS to issue relief, ensuring that affected taxpayers have more time to file, pay, and apply for available assistance programs.
“The declaration permits the IRS to postpone certain tax deadlines for affected taxpayers in the covered disaster area,” the agency stated in its official notice. The IRS added that most relief will be applied automatically based on address records. Still, taxpayers outside the disaster area may request assistance if their records were maintained in Suffolk County or if they are relief workers serving in the community.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency emphasized that the storms caused significant flooding and losses, creating urgent conditions for residents and businesses. FEMA’s disaster declarations opened the door to federal disaster assistance, including tax relief. “Our priority is helping impacted individuals recover while coordinating with other agencies to reduce the burden on families and small businesses,” FEMA officials noted.
Local tax professionals echoed the importance of the extension. “Many clients had outstanding obligations, including quarterly payments and corporate filings. The February deadline gives them time to regroup and avoid penalties,” said one Suffolk County tax preparer, who described the relief as a necessary step during recovery.
The IRS advises affected taxpayers to review the disaster assistance page on IRS.gov for complete guidance, application details, and notices. Eligible individuals and businesses do not need to apply separately if their principal residence or records are located in the disaster area. Still, those outside Suffolk County should contact the IRS disaster hotline at 866-562-5227 to request relief.
Free tax preparation services remain available through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) sites. At the same time, military members can access MilTax through the Department of Defense. Taxpayers seeking refunds or prior records should include the FEMA disaster declaration number on mailed documents to ensure proper processing.
Taxpayers seeking updates and guidance on IRS disaster tax relief can access these official resources:
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