CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Internal Revenue Service announced Friday new tax relief for individuals and businesses impacted by Helene in both North and South Carolina.
People and households that reside in or have business in either state now have until May 1, 2025 to file returns and pay any taxes originally due between Sept. 25, 2024 and May 1, 2025.
The deadline applies to those who had a valid extension to file their 2023 return. However, tax payments on those 2023 returns are not eligible for relief because those payments were due April 15, according to the IRS.
The new May 1 deadline also includes businesses with an original or extended due date for Oct. 15, 2024. Payments normally due between Sept. 25, 2024 and May 1, 2025, including quarterly estimated tax payments and quarterly payroll and excise tax returns also qualify for relief.
If you receive a late filing or late payment penalty notice from the IRS for an item that falls during the postponement period, the IRS asks that you call the telephone number on the notice to have the agency abate the penalty.
Impacted taxpayers have the option of claiming disaster-related casualty losses on federal income tax returns from this year or last year. You have up to six months after the due date of your federal income tax return to make the election.
The IRS will also waive fees and requests for copies of previously filed tax returns for those impacted by Helene. The agency may provide additional disaster relief in the future.
North Carolina will join the IRS Direct File program in the 2025 filing season. That program allows people to file their taxes directly with the agency for free. Approximately 1.25 million North Carolinians are expected to be eligible for IRS Direct File, according to Gov. Roy Cooper's office.
The program was rolled out as a pilot during the 2024 tax season in 12 states. IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel says the program will be permanent and the IRS will expand eligibility opportunities for taxpayers.
South Carolina has not yet chosen to join the program for the 2025 tax season. Werfel said Thursday that it is possible for additional states to join.
For those who want to help, WCNC Charlotte has partnered with the American Red Cross to help gather donations to go to efforts that will help people impacted by Helene and with the nonprofit Operation Airdrop to get much-needed supplies to the mountain counties. Here's how you can help people impacted by Helene.