IRS: Arkansas storm victims qualify for tax relief

April 18 deadline, other dates extended to July 31.

WASHINGTON — Arkansas storm victims now have until July 31, 2023, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments, the Internal Revenue Service announced today.

The IRS is offering relief to any area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a result of tornadoes and severe storms that occurred on March 31. This means that individuals and households that reside or have a business in Cross, Lonoke and Pulaski counties qualify for tax relief. Other areas added later to the disaster area will also qualify for the same relief. The current list of eligible localities is always available on the disaster relief page on IRS.gov.

The tax relief postpones various tax filing and payment deadlines that occurred starting on March 31, 2023. As a result, affected individuals and businesses will have until July 31, 2023, to file returns and pay any taxes that were originally due during this period.

This includes 2022 individual income tax returns and various business returns due on April 18. Among other things, this means that eligible taxpayers will have until July 31 to make 2022 contributions to their IRAs and health savings accounts.

The July 31 deadline also applies to the quarterly estimated tax payments, normally due on April 18 and June 15.

The July 31 deadline also applies to the quarterly payroll and excise tax returns normally due on April 30, 2023. In addition, penalties on payroll and excise tax deposits due on or after March 31 and before April 18 will be abated if the tax deposits are made by April 18, 2023. Read more.