Hurricane Delta Victims Get More Time to Pay Taxes
The tax relief is currently available to Hurricane Delta victims in Acadia, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis, and Vermilion parishes in Louisiana.
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Newsletter sign up Newsletter

Victims of Hurricane Delta now have until February 16, 2021, to file various individual and business tax returns and make tax payments due on or after October 6, 2020.
The tax relief is available to anyone in any area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as qualifying for individual assistance. Currently this includes Acadia, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis, and Vermilion parishes in Louisiana. However, taxpayers in places added later to the disaster area will automatically receive the same filing and payment relief.
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 pushed back include the October 15, 2020, due date for filing a 2019 income tax return that was extended (the original due date was July 15, 2020). For victims who were also impacted by Hurricane Laura, this means an additional extension beyond the December 31 deadline announced in August. However, because 2019 income tax payments were due on July 15, those payments are not eligible for this relief.
Hurricane Delta victims will also have until February 16 to make quarterly estimated tax payments due on January 15, 2021.
The February 16 extended deadline also applies to quarterly payroll and excise tax returns normally due on November 2, 2020, and February 1, 2021. Various other due dates for business tax filings and payments are extended, too.
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 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
Victims of Hurricane Delta 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 (opens in new tab) 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 (opens in new tab).
The deduction can be claimed on either a 2019 tax year return or a 2020 return (which is due next year). In either case, a you must write the FEMA declaration number – 4570 – on the return claiming the deduction.
If you decide to claim a deduction for 2019 and you have already filed your 2019 return, you can amend your 2019 return by filing Form 1040X (opens in new tab). For this purpose, you must file your amended prior-year return no later than six months after the due date for filing your current-year return (without extensions) for the year in which the loss took place. So, for Hurricane Delta losses, you would need to file an amended 2019 return by October 15, 2021.
For more information on tax help available to people impacted by natural disasters, 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.
-
-
In Retirement Planning, What’s Your Retirement Personality?
There are many ways to think about retirement planning, and your personality can influence yours. If your personality and plan match, you have a greater chance of retirement success.
By Samuel V. Gaeta, CFP® • Published
-
Inflation’s Toll: Cuts to Retirement Savings and Health Care
Many consumers struggling to make ends meet amid inflation are reducing retirement planning and health care, both of which can have disastrous results later in life. A professional could help.
By Kristi Martin Rodriguez • Published
-
Child Tax Credit Changes and FAQs for Your 2022 Tax Return
Tax Breaks The bigger and better child tax credit that applied 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
-
What's the Gift Tax Exclusion for 2023?
Plan on giving cash or property to family or friends? Keeping it below the annual gift tax exemption can help you save both time and money.
By Rocky Mengle • Published
-
Top Tax Stories of 2022 (That Still Matter for 2023)
Kiplinger highlights some of its top tax stories of 2022 about topics that can still impact your finances in 2023.
By Kelley R. Taylor • Published