On 5 February 2024, the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) declared tax relief for taxpayers in Maine affected by severe storms and flooding that began on 17 December 2023. As per the new announcement, these taxpayers now have until 17 June 2024 to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.

According to the IRS release, IR-2024-32, the tax relief is offered to any area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which currently includes Androscoggin, Franklin, Hancock, Kennebec, Oxford, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset, Waldo and Washington Counties. Individuals and households that reside or have a business in these localities qualify for tax relief.

Various tax filing and payment deadlines that occurred from December 17, 2023, through June 17, 2024, are now due June 17, 2024, including:

  • Individual income tax returns and payments normally due on 15 April 2024.
  • 2023 contributions to IRAs and health savings accounts for eligible taxpayers.
  • Quarterly estimated income tax payments normally due on 16 January 2024 and 15 April 2024.
  • Quarterly payroll and excise tax returns normally due on 31 January 2024 and 30 April 2024.
  • Calendar-year partnership and S corporation returns normally due on 15 March 2024.
  • Calendar-year corporation and fiduciary returns and payments normally due on 15 April 2024.
  • Calendar-year tax-exempt organization returns normally due on 15 May 2024.

Penalties for failing to make payroll and excise tax deposits due on or after 17 December 2023 and before 2 January 2024 will be abated as long as the deposits were made by 2 January 2024. The IRS automatically provides filing and penalty relief to any taxpayer with an IRS address of record located in the disaster area.

Anyone who needs an additional tax-filing extension beyond 17 June 2024 for their 2023 federal income tax return must request it electronically by 15 April 2024. Though a disaster-area taxpayer qualifies to request an extension between 15 April 2024 and 17 June 2024, a request filed during this period can only be submitted on paper. If requested electronically or on paper, the taxpayer will have until 15 October 2024 to file, though payments are still due on 17 June 2024.