New Mexico Wildfire and Wind Victims Get More Time to Pay Taxes
Certain tax filing and payment deadlines are extended for residents and businesses impacted by the recent wildfires and straight-line winds in New Mexico.


The IRS has granted victims of the recent New Mexico wildfires and straight-line winds more time to file various individual and business tax returns and make tax payments. Specifically, victims of the fires and winds that began on April 5, 2022, have until September 30, 2022, to file and pay tax returns and payments due between April 5 and September 29.
The tax relief is available to anyone in any area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as qualifying for individual assistance. At this point, only affected taxpayers who live or have a business in Colfax, Lincoln, Los Alamos, Mora, San Miguel, Sandoval and Valencia Counties qualify for the extensions, but the IRS will offer the same relief to any taxpayers in other New Mexico localities designated by FEMA later.
The IRS will also work with other people who live 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. This also includes workers assisting the relief activities who are affiliated with a recognized government or philanthropic organization.

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 April 18, 2022, due date for filing a 2021 personal income tax return and paying 2021 taxes. In addition, wildfire and wind victims in the designated area have until September 30 to make 2021 IRA contributions. They also get more time to make the estimated tax payments due on April 18, June 15, and September 15, 2022.
The due date for quarterly payroll and excise tax returns normally due on May 2 and August 1, 2022, are extended to September 30 for New Mexico wildfire and wind victims, too. Penalties on payroll and excise tax deposits due from April 5 to April 19 will also be waived as long as the deposits were made by April 20, 2022.
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.
Deduction for Damaged or Lost Property
Victims of the New Mexico wildfires and straight-line winds 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 the tax return for the year the damage or loss of property occurred or for the previous year. So, for any destruction in 2022, the deduction can be claimed on either a 2021 tax year return or a 2022 return. In either case, you must write the FEMA declaration number on the return claiming the deduction. For the recent New Mexico wildfires and straight-line winds, the number is DR-4652-NM.
If you decide to claim a deduction for 2021, you can amend your 2021 return by filing Form 1040-X. For this purpose, you must file the amended return no later than six months after the due date for filing your return (without extensions) for the year in which the loss took place. So, for New Mexico wildfire or wind losses in 2022, you would need to file an amended 2021 return by October 16, 2023. Affected taxpayers claiming the disaster loss on a 2021 return should also put the Disaster Designation ("New Mexico Wildfires and Straight-Line Winds") in bold letters at the top of the form. See IRS Publication 547 for details.
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
Rocky Mengle was a Senior Tax Editor for Kiplinger from October 2018 to January 2023 with more than 20 years of experience covering federal and state tax developments. Before coming to Kiplinger, Rocky 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 holds a law degree from the University of Connecticut and a B.A. in History from Salisbury University.
-
Donating Complex Assets Doesn't Have to Be Complicated
If you're looking to donate less-conventional assets but don't know where to start, this charity executive has answers, such as considering a donor-advised fund (DAF) for its tax benefits and ease of use.
-
Travel trends you can expect this summer
The Kiplinger Letter Domestic trips will trump foreign travel amid economic uncertainties, though some costs are down.
-
Ask the Editor, May 16 — Reader Questions on Capital Gains
In our latest Ask the Editor round-up, Joy Taylor, The Kiplinger Tax Letter Editor, answers three questions from readers on capital gains.
-
Missouri Leads Capital Gains Tax Repeal: Will Your State Follow?
State Tax As one state becomes a test case, policymakers and taxpayers across the U.S. will be watching closely to see what happens next.
-
IRS Government Watchdog Warns More Layoffs to Come
IRS Over 11,400 IRS employees took the Trump-instructed buyout or were terminated. What does it mean for your taxes going forward?
-
Here's How the Child Tax Credit Could Increase Under Trump
Tax Credits House Republicans released details on President Trump’s ‘one big, beautiful bill,’ including an increased child tax credit.
-
New Overtime Tax Deduction Proposed for Millions Working Extra Hours
Tax Law Some lawmakers and President Trump want to offer overtime tax relief. But will a tax deduction or an exemption help you most?
-
Ask the Editor, May 9 — Reader Questions on QCDs
In our latest Ask the Editor round-up, Joy Taylor, The Kiplinger Tax Letter Editor, answers questions on qualified charitable distributions (QCDs).
-
Big Tax Deduction Increase Proposed for Those Over Age 65
Tax Deductions A new bipartisan bill and a tax plan from the House GOP could mean bigger retirement tax savings to offset taxes on Social Security and high prices.
-
Ten Cheapest Places To Live in New York
Property Tax If you’re planning a move in New York, here are the counties with the lowest property tax bills in the Empire State.