Taxpayers in Arkansas and Tennessee are breathing a sigh of relief as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced a significant extension for tax filing deadlines due to the severe weather that recently struck both states. The announcement comes in the wake of devastating storms that occurred on April 2, 2025, which included straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding that left a trail of destruction.
According to the IRS, individuals and businesses in both Arkansas and Tennessee now have until November 3, 2025, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and payments. This extension applies to anyone living in or operating a business within the affected areas of these states. The IRS stated that the new deadline encompasses tax returns and payments originally due between April 2 and November 3, 2025.
In Arkansas, the tax relief measures include a range of filings. Taxpayers can submit their individual income tax returns, contributions to Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) for 2024, quarterly estimated tax payments, payroll and excise tax returns, as well as corporation and fiduciary returns. Furthermore, tax-exempt organizations are also covered under this extension.
Similarly, in Tennessee, the IRS is automatically granting the deadline extension to all residents whose addresses are on file within the state’s 95 counties. This means that individual income tax returns and payments, typically due on April 15, 2025, can now be submitted by the extended deadline. Additionally, contributions to IRAs and health savings accounts for eligible taxpayers, quarterly estimated tax payments, and payroll and excise tax returns are included in this relief.
In light of the severe weather conditions that have impacted the region, the IRS has also indicated that penalties for failing to make payroll and excise tax deposits that were due on or after April 2, 2025, and before April 17, 2025, will be abated if the deposits are made by April 17, 2025. This provision is aimed at assisting businesses struggling to recover from the recent disasters.
The storms that prompted this extension were particularly severe, causing substantial damage across both states. Reports indicate that the disaster resulted in thousands of power outages, widespread destruction of homes, and tragically, at least seven fatalities. The IRS noted that it automatically provides filing and penalty relief to any taxpayer with an IRS address located in the disaster area, ensuring that those affected receive the necessary support.
Beyond Arkansas and Tennessee, several other states are also benefiting from similar extensions. Residents in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, and parts of Alaska, New Mexico, and Virginia have until May 1, 2025, to file their taxes. Meanwhile, those impacted by the wildfires in Los Angeles County have until October 15, 2025, to submit their returns.
For taxpayers outside the affected states, there is an option to request an automatic extension until October 15, 2025; however, they must still pay any taxes owed by the original deadline of April 15, 2025. This provision is designed to accommodate those who may need additional time but are not directly affected by the disasters.
As communities in Arkansas and Tennessee continue to assess the damage and begin the recovery process, the IRS's tax deadline extension offers a crucial lifeline, allowing individuals and businesses to focus on rebuilding without the immediate pressure of looming tax deadlines. The agency's proactive approach in extending these deadlines reflects its commitment to supporting taxpayers during difficult times.
In summary, the IRS has taken significant steps to alleviate the financial burden on taxpayers in Arkansas and Tennessee by extending the tax filing deadline to November 3, 2025. This extension is part of a broader response to the severe weather that has wreaked havoc across the region, providing much-needed relief to those affected. As the recovery efforts continue, taxpayers can take comfort in knowing they have additional time to meet their tax obligations.
