Residents of certain Louisiana parishes can wait until August 16, 2021, to file their 2020 federal income tax return. The IRS extended this and other tax deadlines because of the severe storms and flooding that began on May 17, 2021, in parts of the state that were declared a disaster area by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The tax relief applies to residents of Assumption, Ascension, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Iberville, Lafourche and Lafayette Parishes. (Note: Assumption and Lafourche Parishes were added to the list on August 23, 2021.)
Various federal tax filing and payment due dates for individuals and businesses from May 17 to August 15 will be shifted to August 16. In addition to the May 17 personal income tax filing deadline, which was previously pushed back to June 15 for taxpayers impacted by a winter storm in February, this includes:
- 2020 IRA contributions originally due on May 17;
- Quarterly estimated income tax payments normally due on June 15; and
- 2020 returns for tax-exempt organizations typically due on May 17.
Penalties on payroll and excise tax deposits due from May 17 to May 31 will also be waived if the deposits were made by June 1.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
You don't have to contact the IRS to get this relief. However, if you receive a late filing or late payment penalty notice from the IRS that has an original or extended filing, payment or deposit due date falling within the postponement period, you should call the number on the notice to have the penalty abated.
The IRS will also waive fees for obtaining copies of previously filed tax returns for taxpayers affected by the storm. When requesting copies of a tax return or a tax return transcript, write "Louisiana Severe Storms and Flooding" in bold letters at the top of Form 4506 (copy of return) or Form 4506-T (transcript) and send it to the IRS.
In addition, the IRS will work with any taxpayer who lives outside Louisiana, but whose records necessary to meet a deadline occurring during the postponement period are located in the state. Taxpayers qualifying for relief who live in another state need to contact the IRS at 866-562-5227. This also includes workers assisting the relief activities who are affiliated with a recognized government or philanthropic organization.
Individuals and businesses in a federally declared disaster area who suffered uninsured or unreimbursed disaster-related losses can choose to claim them on either the return for the year the loss occurred (in this instance, the 2021 return normally filed next year), or the return for the prior year. This means that taxpayers can, if they choose, claim these losses on their 2020 return. Be sure to write the FEMA declaration number (FEMA 4606-DR) on any return claiming a loss. It's also a good idea for affected taxpayers claiming the disaster loss on a 2020 return to put the Disaster Designation ("Louisiana Severe Storms and Flooding") in bold letters at the top of the form. See IRS Publication 547 for details.
-
How Much Will Car Prices Go Up With Tariffs?Tariffs could drive car prices up even higher, for new and used cars, as well as for American brands.
-
What Is the Buffett Indicator?"It is better to be roughly right than precisely wrong," writes Carveth Read in "Logic: Deductive and Inductive." That's the premise of the Buffett Indicator.
-
Here’s How the Harvard Trump Tax Threat Could Impact YouTax Law Trump's latest showdown raises fundamental questions that could reach beyond nonprofit tax status.
-
Which Generation Pays the Most Taxes in the US?Tax Burden Polls show that most people feel like taxes are unfair. But which age group bears the brunt of the tax burden in the United States?
-
Tax Day 2025: Don’t Miss These Freebies, Food Deals and DiscountsTax Day You can score some sweet deals on April 15 in some select restaurants like Burger King, Shake Shack, and more.
-
Tax Time: Does Your Kid Influencer Owe Taxes?State Tax Some minors are making big money on social media. Here’s how to know if they need to file taxes.
-
Ask the Editor: Readers' Tax Questions, April 11, 2025Ask the Editor: Taxes, April 11, 2025 — Joy Taylor, The Kiplinger Tax Letter Editor, answers questions on Roth IRAs, RMDs and other retirement accounts.
-
Free IRS Tax Filing for 30 Million People: Will It Continue Under Trump?Tax Filing Direct File was piloted last year in 12 states and has since expanded to 25. But some wonder whether the program will last under the Trump administration.
-
Did Florida’s Chance at $1,000 in Property Tax Rebates Vanish?State Taxes The Florida Legislature bypassed Gov. Ron DeSantis’ wish to cut property taxes and instead voted to lower the state’s sales tax.
-
How Caregivers for Adults Can Save on Taxes in 2025Tax Breaks Caring for your parent or spouse can be stressful, but the IRS offers tax breaks for qualifying taxpayers. Here they are.
