IRS Issues Tax Extension for Storm Victims in Arkansas

Parts of Arkansas are in a state of disaster as severe storms and tornadoes rip through the state. If you were impacted by these storms, 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) declared the recent events as a disaster and the IRS announced that victims of these Arkansas storms have until July 31, 2023 to file various individual and business tax returns and make certain tax payments. Currently, tax relief is available to any area designated by FEMA. This means that individuals and households that reside or have a business in Cross, Lonoke and Pulaski counties qualify for tax relief. Other areas added later to the disaster area will also qualify for the same relief. Taxpayers in certain storm impacted localities designated by FEMA will automatically receive the same filing and payment relief.  The current list of eligible localities is available on the disaster relief page on IRS.gov.

What are the extended tax and payment deadlines for victims of Arkansas storms?

The tax relief postpones various tax filing and payment deadlines that occurred starting on March 31, 2023. As a result, affected individuals and businesses will have until July 31, 2023 to file returns and pay any taxes that were originally due during this period. These include:

• 2022 Individual and Business Returns: Individual income tax returns and various business returns normally due on April 18, 2023 will now have until July 31, 2023 to file their 2022 return and pay any tax due. Among other things, this means that eligible taxpayers will have until July 31 to make 2022 contributions to their IRAs and health savings accounts.
• Quarterly Estimated Tax Payment: Tax Year 2023 quarterly estimated tax payments normally due April 18 and June 15 have been extended until July 31, 2023. 
• Quarterly Payroll and Excise Tax Returns: Quarterly payroll and excise tax returns that are normally due on April 30, 2023, are also extended until July 31, 2023. In addition, penalties on payroll and excise tax deposits due on or after March 31 and before April 18, 2023 will be abated as long as the deposits were made by April 18, 2023.

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.

The current list of eligible localities is always available on the disaster relief page on IRS.gov.

Do surrounding areas outside of Arkansas 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 and property 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 (2023 return normally filed next year in this instance) or the loss can be deducted on the tax return for the prior year (2022, normally filed this tax season). Individuals may also deduct personal property losses that are not covered by insurance or other reimbursements. 

Be sure to write the following FEMA declaration number on any return claiming a loss:  

• 4698-DR 

The tax relief is part of a coordinated federal response to the damage caused by the harsh 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 storm victims.

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