The IRS has granted tax relief for Maine and Massachusetts following Hurricane Lee. This relief includes extended deadlines for certain tax filing and payment due dates. The tax deadline extensions for Maine and Massachusetts follow storm-related extensions in several other states, including Florida and South Carolina tax deadline extensions following Tropical Storm Idalia.
Hurricane Lee hit Maine on Sept.16, bringing with it heavy rain and wind gusts reaching over 80 mph in some areas. The storm in Maine resulted in at least one death. The effects of Hurricane Lee were not as severe in Massachusetts. However, areas of the region still experienced wind gusts of up to 65 mph, and 3,000 homes and businesses were left without power.
IRS tax relief for Maine and Massachusetts
Following Hurricane Lee, the IRS announced that affected taxpayers in Maine and Massachusetts now have until Feb. 15, 2024, to file certain tax returns and make tax payments that were originally due between Sept. 15, 2023, and Feb. 15, 2024. The extensions include (but may not be limited to) the following:
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.
- Quarterly estimated tax payments originally due on Sept. 15, 2023, and Jan. 16, 2024, are now due Feb. 15, 2024.
- Quarterly payroll and excise tax returns originally due Oct. 31 are now due Feb. 15.
- 2022 tax returns for individuals and corporations originally granted a tax extension of Oct. 16 are now due Feb. 15.
Because taxes owed for 2022 tax returns were due on April 18, the deadline extension does not apply to these payments, even if you were granted a filing extension.
Areas affected by Hurricane Lee
Although Hurricane Lee had the greatest impact on coastal areas, such as Cape Cod and Nantucket, taxpayers in all areas of Maine and Massachusetts qualify for tax relief. According to the IRS, taxpayers in these areas will receive extensions automatically.
However, taxpayers who live outside of the areas but qualify for relief (such as those with documents located in Maine and Massachusetts) should contact the IRS at 866-562-5227.
Some taxpayers impacted by the storm may receive a late filing or payment notice. This can happen if the IRS does not have a record of you living in the affected area (for example, if you recently moved). In this case, taxpayers should call the number provided on the notice for relief.
Are Massachusetts and Maine state tax deadlines extended?
Maine and Massachusetts have not announced tax deadline extensions following Hurricane Lee. However, the tax departments for both areas grant automatic filing extensions for taxpayers who receive extensions from the IRS.
Taxpayers should contact their state tax department to see if the automatic extension applies to relief granted due to Hurricane Lee or if local tax relief is available.
Related Content
-
Seven Local Social Security Offices Are Suspending In-Person ServicesA departure from closing locations, seven local Social Security offices will temporarily stop all in-person service and will only be available by telephone.
-
The Explosion of New AI ToolsThe Kiplinger Letter Workers and consumers soon won’t be able to escape generative AI. Does that mean societal disruption and productivity gains are right around the corner?
-
Don’t Make These Five Mistakes on Your Tax ReturnTax Filing The IRS warns taxpayers to watch out for these common errors as they prepare to file.
-
You Don’t Want to Retire in Portugal: Here Are Three Tax Reasons WhyRetirement Taxes With the NHR benefit retiring and pension taxes increasing, you might rethink your retirement plans in Portugal.
-
Why Abolishing Florida Property Taxes is ProblematicProperty Taxes A bold proposal that aims to eliminate property taxes in the Sunshine State has roused concerns from economists, and rightly so.
-
First-Time Filing Taxes? Key Tax Tips to Know for 2025Tax Filing Preparing your IRS taxes for the first time may seem daunting, but here are some return preparation and filing tips to start.
-
Mail Theft Crisis: Why Your IRS Tax Refund Is At RiskTax Refunds Millions of dollars in tax refunds were stolen in the mail last year. Here's what you should know.
-
Ten IRS Audit Red Flags for Retirees in 2025Retirement Taxes Retirees who think they can escape the IRS audit machine should think again.
-
States with Emergency and Energy Sales Tax Holidays in 2025Sales Taxes Save on appliances with a state emergency preparedness or energy-efficient tax-free weekend in February.
-
New Colorado Tax Credit: What’s the Scoop?State Tax Everything you need to know about the Colorado family affordability tax credit in 2025.
