The IRS last week noted that taxpayers affected by the Camp and Woolsey Fires in California will receive tax relief following a federal disaster declaration for Butte, Los Angeles, and Ventura counties.

While firefighters work to contain the deadly wildfires, communities are focusing on recovery efforts. For some, the charcoal outline of timber frames is all that remains of their home. Aside from the immediate difficulties faced by those who have been displaced, the destruction of financial records can make filing taxes much more difficult. The tax relief extended to those in federally declared disaster areas is designed to make this one aspect of recovery easier.

Victims of the California wildfires now have until April 30, 2019 to meet deadlines that would normally falling between November 8, 2018 and April 15, 2019, including those for filing a return and making estimated payments. The IRS also notes that it will “waive the usual fees and expedite requests for copies of previously filed tax returns for affected taxpayers,” which should help those who need to rebuild destroyed tax records.

For more information on tax relief, visit the IRS “Tax Relief in Disaster Situations” page. It serves as an information hub for recent tax relief and includes helpful links other resources, like the “FAQs for Disaster Victims” page.    

Sources: “Tax Relief for Victims of November 8 Wildfires in California”; “Tax Relief in Disaster Situations”; “FAQs for Disaster Victims”