IRS Extends Federal Tax Deadline For Third Time This Year

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced on Monday that the federal tax deadline in California is to be extended to November 16th because of continued issues stemming from the numerous winter storms and subsequent flooding earlier this year.

In January, federal filings were only extended by one month from April 18th to May 15th because of the flooding and damage caused by the numerous atmospheric river events. The state of California followed suit, with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) also delaying the state tax deadline for affected counties. However, as many asked for longer deadlines because of recovery issues and needing help on filing because of lost documents and business and home destruction, As such, the IRS extended the deadline in February to October to accommodate everyone.

The number of affected counties also went up, from only a handful to 55 of the state’s 58 counties, with only Lassen, Modoc and Shasta counties not being a part of the extension. However, with the tax deadline approaching and many taxpayers still struggling to get everything needed in order to file taxes, the IRS announced on Monday that they are giving California residents in the affected 55 counties an extra month to pay, with the new deadline being set for November 16th.

“The Internal Revenue Service today further postponed tax deadlines for most California taxpayers to Nov. 16, 2023,” said the IRS in a press release on Monday. “In the wake of last winter’s natural disasters, the normal spring due dates had previously been postponed to Oct. 16.

“As a result, most individuals and businesses in California will now have until Nov. 16 to file their 2022 returns and pay any tax due. Fifty-five of California’s 58 counties—all except Lassen, Modoc and Shasta counties—qualify. IRS relief is based on three different FEMA disaster declarations covering severe winter storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides over a period of several months.

“The IRS normally provides relief, including postponing various tax filing and payment deadlines, for any area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). As long as their address of record is in a disaster-area locality, individual and business taxpayers automatically get the extra time, without having to ask for it.”

Following my letter requesting more time for Californians impacted by severe weather to file taxes, the IRS has extended the filing and payment deadlines. Most people and businesses now have until November 16.
More details here ➡️ https://t.co/l5LP0rYAnm

— Rep. Jared Huffman (@RepHuffman) October 16, 2023

Tax experts told the Globe on Monday that Californians should remember that the deadline only covers federal taxes, and that taxes should be filed as soon as possible.

“Make sure that your county is covered and keep that date in mind,” said accountant and tax filing professional Curt Atwood. “The IRS doesn’t give such widespread delays very often. Oh, and also keep in mind that state taxes need to be filed too. The two are not concurrent on deadlines now.

“The IRS is also more than willing to work with people if they still don’t think they can meet that deadline. They have a negative reputation as being this money-hungry, uncaring department, but they can actually be quite understanding and will work with you. I mean, they delayed federal taxes now over half a year. So if you work with them, they’ll work with you.

“This will likely be the last extension though. This one was only for a month, and at this point, the 2023 tax deadline is a lot closer than the original 2022 deadline.”

Further changes to the new tax deadline may be announced soon.