Georgians rushing to meet Tuesday’s April 15 tax filing deadline can breathe a short sigh of relief. You don’t have to have your federal and state taxes in until May 1.
The IRS extended the tax filing deadline due to Hurricane Helene. After the storm made landfall last September, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued disaster declarations for several Southern states, including Georgia.
After that declaration, the IRS extended the date to file and pay 2024’s federal taxes to May 1, 2025, and Georgia’s Department of Revenue followed suit. As a result of Helene, the IRS also extended tax deadlines for Alabama, North and South Carolina, and parts of Florida, Tennessee, and Virginia.
The IRS announced Monday that it has pushed back Tennessee’s tax filing deadline even further due to tornadoes and flooding earlier this month. Tennessee taxpayers now have until November 3 to complete their taxes.
Welcome reprieve
Extensions like these are automatically granted to areas impacted by disasters.
Jon Powell, a partner at the tax firm Moore Colson, said that although Georgians only get an extra few weeks, that can make a huge difference for both taxpayers and tax professionals.
“Having a couple of extra weeks can be a godsend,” he said. “If cash is tight as well, having a couple of extra weeks can allow you for time to make those payments.”
Filers who need the typical extension to Oct. 15 can still receive it but must request it.
E-filing
Taxpayers are encouraged to file electronically through IRS Free File or commercial software to minimize errors and expedite refunds. The IRS emphasizes that most taxpayers qualify for electronic filing at no cost and can receive their refund within 21 days with direct deposit.
Individuals with an adjusted gross income of $84,000 or less in 2024 can use the IRS Free File guided tax software until October 15. The program also offers IRS Free File Fillable Forms, a free option for taxpayers of any income level to complete and file their returns electronically.
GPB News contributed to this report
