IRS Extends Tax Due Dates for Hurricane Laura Victims
Victims of Hurricane Laura have until the end of the year to file tax returns and make tax payments.
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Newsletter sign up Newsletter

Victims of Hurricane Laura will have until December 31, 2020, to file various individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.
The tax relief is available for taxpayers in any area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as qualifying for individual assistance. Currently, this includes Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis, and Vernon parishes in Louisiana. However, taxpayers in places added later to the disaster area will automatically receive the same filing and payment relief. (Check the IRS disaster relief page (opens in new tab) for updated lists of eligible localities.)
The IRS will also work with any taxpayer who lives outside the disaster area but whose tax records are in the disaster area. Call the IRS at 866-562-5227 if you face this situation.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Deadlines Extended
The deadlines that are extended include the October 15, 2020, personal income tax return filing deadline for people who had a valid extension to file their 2019 return. (Note, however, that because tax payments related to these 2019 returns were due on July 15, 2020, those payments are not eligible for this relief.) Businesses with income tax filing extensions also have additional time, including calendar-year corporations whose 2019 extensions run out on October 15, 2020.
The end-of-the-year deadline also applies to quarterly estimated tax payments due on September 15, 2020, and the quarterly payroll and excise tax returns normally due on November 2, 2020. It also applies to tax-exempt organizations operating on a calendar-year basis that had a valid extension due to run out on November 16, 2020.
Penalties on payroll and excise tax deposits due after August 22 and before September 8 will also be abated as long as the deposits are made by September 8, 2020.
Taxpayers don't need to contact the IRS to get this relief. However, if an affected person receives a late filing or late payment penalty notice from the IRS, he or she should call the number on the notice to have the penalty abated.
The IRS disaster assistance and emergency relief page (opens in new tab) has details on other returns, payments and tax-related actions qualifying for additional time.
Deduction for Damaged or Lost Property
Hurricane Laura victims may be able to claim a tax deduction for unreimbursed damaged or lost property. To do so, they typically must itemize and file Schedule A with their tax return. However, victims who claim the standard deduction may still be able to deduct their losses if they can claim them as business losses on Schedule C.
The deduction can be claimed on either a 2019 tax year return or a 2020 return (which is due April 15, 2021). If you already filed your 2019 tax return, you can file an amended return to claim the deduction and get a refund sooner. In either case, a Hurricane Laura victim must write the FEMA declaration number – 4559 – on the return claiming the deduction.
For more information on tax help available to people impacted by Hurricane Laura, see Tax Relief for Hurricane, Wildfire, Flood and Other Natural Disaster Victims.
Rocky was a Senior Tax Editor for Kiplinger from October 2018 to January 2023. He has more than 20 years of experience covering federal and state tax developments. Before coming to Kiplinger, he worked for Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting and Kleinrock Publishing, where he provided breaking news and guidance for CPAs, tax attorneys, and other tax professionals. He has also been quoted as an expert by USA Today, Forbes, U.S. News & World Report, Reuters, Accounting Today, and other media outlets. Rocky has a law degree from the University of Connecticut and a B.A. in History from Salisbury University.
-
-
Fed Raises Interest Rates Yet Again: What the Experts Are Saying
Federal Reserve The Fed's quarter-point rate hike was welcomed by the market and market pros, alike.
By Dan Burrows • Published
-
Stock Market Today: Stocks Swing Higher After Powell Presser
The Fed raised rates by 0.25%, as expected, and Powell promised to "stay the course until the job is done."
By Karee Venema • Published
-
Can the Earned Income Tax Credit Help You?
The earned income tax credit (EITC) can help people with low-to-moderate income but it can also increase IRS audit risk.
By Kelley R. Taylor • Last updated
-
Tax Season is Here. What to Know Before You File
The IRS is accepting tax returns for the 2023 tax season, but there are some key things to know before you file.
By Kelley R. Taylor • Published
-
Child Tax Credit Changes and FAQs for Your 2022 Tax Return
Tax Breaks The bigger and better child tax credit for 2021 is gone, replaced by a new set of rules for taking the credit on 2022 returns.
By Joy Taylor • Published
-
When Can You File Taxes in 2023?
tax filing If you're an early bird when it comes to filing your tax return, there's good news from the IRS.
By Rocky Mengle • Published
-
The IRS Issued 12 Million Tax Refunds for 2020: Here's Why
An unemployment tax break caused the IRS to issue $14.8 billion in tax refunds.
By Kelley R. Taylor • Published
-
New EV Tax Credit Gets Complicated for 2023
More car models qualify for the full federal electric vehicle tax credit for a little while, but then what?
By Kelley R. Taylor • Published
-
When Are Taxes Due in 2023? Tax Deadlines by Month
tax deadline Know the tax deadlines that apply to you, so you don't get hit with IRS penalties or miss out on a valuable tax break.
By Rocky Mengle • Published
-
State "Stimulus Checks" in 2023 – Which States Are Still Sending Payments
Residents in a handful of states could still receive a tax rebate check or other payment in 2023.
By Rocky Mengle • Last updated