Extension and Tax Relief for Texas Winter Storm Victims

Millions of Texans fell victim to the recent devastating winter storms that left many with broken pipes, no power, or running water. If you were impacted by the recent Texas storms or any natural disasters, we want you to know TurboTax is here for you, and we want to keep you up to date with important tax relief information that may help you in this time of need.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced the recent events as a disaster and today the IRS announced that victims of the harsh winter storms that occurred this month, now have until June 15, 2021 to file various individual and business tax returns and make certain tax payments.

What are the extended tax and payment deadlines?

The tax relief postpones various tax filing and payment deadlines that occurred starting on February 11. As a result, affected individuals and businesses will have until June 15, 2021, to file returns and pay any taxes that were originally due during this period. These include:

• 2020 Individual and Business Returns: 2020 individual tax returns and payments due on May 17, as well as various 2020 business returns along with payments due on March 15 have an extended deadline until June 15, 2021.
• 2020 IRA Contributions: Affected taxpayers will have until June 15 to make 2020 IRA contributions to make an impact on their 2020 taxes
• 2020 Quarterly Estimated Tax Payments: 2021 1st quarterly estimated tax deadline of April 15, 2021, is extended until June 15, 2021.
• Quarterly Payroll and Excise Tax Returns: Quarterly payroll and excise tax returns that are due April 30, are also extended until June 15, 2021.

Calendar-year tax-exempt organizations, operating on a calendar-year basis that have a 2020 tax return due May 17, also qualify for the extra time.

The IRS is providing this relief to the entire state of Texas. But taxpayers in other states impacted by these winter storms that receive similar FEMA disaster declarations will automatically receive the same filing and payment relief. The current list of eligible localities is always available on the disaster relief page on IRS.gov.

What do I need to do to claim the tax extension? 

The IRS automatically provides filing and penalty relief to any taxpayer with an IRS address of record located in the disaster area. Taxpayers do not need to contact the IRS to get this relief. However, if an affected taxpayer receives a late filing or late payment penalty notice from the IRS that has an original or extended filing, payment or deposit due date falling within the postponement period, the taxpayer should call the number on the notice to have the penalty abated.

Do surrounding areas outside of Texas qualify for an extension? 

The IRS will work with any taxpayer who lives outside the disaster area but whose records necessary to meet a deadline occurring during the postponement period are located in the affected area. Taxpayers qualifying for relief who live outside the disaster area need to contact the IRS at 866-562-5227. This also includes workers, assisting the relief activities, who are affiliated with a recognized government or philanthropic organization.

How can I claim a casualty loss on my taxes if impacted?

Individuals or businesses who suffered uninsured or unreimbursed disaster-related casualty losses can choose to claim them on either the tax return for the year the loss occurred (in this instance, the 2021 return filed in 2022), or the loss can be deducted on the tax return for the prior year (2020). Be sure to write the FEMA declaration number – 4586 − on any return claiming a loss.

The tax relief is part of a coordinated federal response to the damage caused by the harsh winter storms and is based on local damage assessments by FEMA. For information on disaster recovery, visit disasterassistance.gov.

If you are not a victim, but you are looking to help those in need, this is a great opportunity to donate or volunteer your time to legitimate 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charities who are providing relief efforts for winter storm victims.

Check back with the TurboTax blog for more updates on disaster relief.