You may qualify for IRS tax relief in NC after storm Debby. Here’s who is eligible

Following the aftermath of Hurricane Debby, the Internal Revenue Service is providing tax relief to several states impacted by the storm, including North Carolina.

Though Debby originally swept through the state as a tropical storm and was later downgraded to a tropical depression, the state was hit with a stretch of heavy rain, tornadoes, flash-flooding and other severe storm conditions that left thousands without power and four people dead.

Now most residents and business owners in the state affected by the storm have until Feb. 3, 2025 to file federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments, the IRS announced. The original deadlines began Aug. 5, 2024.

Anyone that lives or owns a business in any eligible county qualifies for relief. North Carolina has 66 counties eligible, including all Triangle counties: Wake, Durham, Orange, Chatham and Johnston.

You can find the full list of eligible North Carolina counties online at irs.gov.

The IRS also announced that penalties for failing to make payroll and excise tax deposits due on or after Aug. 5 and before Aug. 20 will be reduced.

What to know about filing and tax relief for NC storm victims

The relief applies to the following:

• Any individual, business or tax-exempt organization that has a valid extension to file a 2023 federal return.

• Quarterly estimated income tax payments due on Sept. 16 and Jan. 15.

• Quarterly payroll and excise tax returns due on Oct. 31 and Jan. 31.

Do I need to apply for tax relief after Debby?

No, filing and penalty relief will be automatically applied. Taxpayers with a recorded address in a “disaster area” do not need to contact the IRS, the agency’s website says.

If you happen to qualify for relief but live outside any eligible counties should call the IRS at 866-562-5227.

Is there more tax relief for storm victims?

The tax relief is based on local damage assessments by FEMA, according to the IRS, with the possibility of more assistance from the agency in the future.

However, there may be other options available for those affected by the storm in North Carolina too, including those hit who had uninsured or unreimbursed disaster-related losses, retirement plans or arrangements.

You can find more information about the tax relief now available for Debby storm victims online at irs.gov.

This story was originally published August 14, 2024 at 7:00 AM with the headline "You may qualify for IRS tax relief in NC after storm Debby. Here’s who is eligible."

Chyna Blackmon

The Charlotte Observer

Chyna Blackmon was a service journalism reporter for The Charlotte Observer. A native of the Carolinas, she grew up in Columbia, SC, and graduated from Queens University of Charlotte. She’s also worked in local television news in Charlotte, NC, and Richmond, VA. Support my work with a digital subscription