Map Shows 12 States With Automatic Tax Extensions

Numerous states and counties have tax filing extensions already in place ahead of next week's deadline - but do any of them apply to you?

Why It Matters

The nationwide tax filing deadline is Tuesday, April 15, with income tax returns and payments due on this date for the majority of Americans. However, there are some exceptions to this rule depending on where you live, as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers extensions to those living in areas impacted by recent natural disasters, as declared by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

What To Know

There are three extension dates this year, each of which applies to different areas.

May 1

Those with personal or business income to report for 2024 with addresses in the following areas have until May 1 to file and pay their returns:

• Entire states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina
• Alaska – The City and Borough of Juneau
• New Mexico – Chaves County
• Tennessee – Carter, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Jefferson, Johnson, Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi and Washington counties
• Virginia – Albemarle, Appomattox, Bedford, Bland and Botetourt counties; Bristol City; Buchanan, Buckingham, Carroll and Charlotte counties; Covington City; Craig County; Danville City; Dickenson and Floyd counties; Galax City; Giles, Grayson, Greene, Lee, Madison, Montgomery and Nelson counties; Norton City; Patrick, Pittsylvania and Pulaski counties; Radford City; Roanoke City; Roanoke, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise and Wythe counties
  

October 15

Taxpayers in Los Angeles County - the scene of widespread and deadly wildfires earlier this year - have until October 15 to file and pay.

November 3

A 2024 returns and payment deadline of November 3 is in place for:

• All of Kentucky
• Boone, Greenbrier, Lincoln, Logan, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Monroe, Raleigh, Summers, Wayne and Wyoming counties in West Virginia.

What People Are Saying

The IRS, in a press release issued on April 4: "The IRS normally provides relief, including postponing various tax filing and payment deadlines for any area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). If a taxpayer's address of record is in a disaster area locality, individual and business taxpayers automatically get the extra time without having to ask for it."

What's Next

If you live in one of these areas and need extra time on top of the extension, you will need to apply for an individual extension using a Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. Failure-to-file penalties apply if you miss the tax return deadline and do not have a valid extension in place.

If you ask for an additional extension to file, you will still be required to pay any due taxes by the deadline in your area.