News Summary

Los Angeles County residents impacted by the January wildfires now have an extended tax deadline. The IRS and Franchise Tax Board have pushed back the tax filing date to October 15, 2025, providing millions of taxpayers additional time to file their federal and state taxes. This extension relieves financial stress associated with tax season, especially for those affected by natural disasters. Taxpayers must indicate the disaster name on their tax returns to benefit from the relief measures.

Taxpayers in Los Angeles County Get a Helping Hand After January Wildfires

If you’re a resident of Los Angeles County and feeling overwhelmed about getting your taxes done this year, you’re in luck! Thanks to the devastating wildfires that broke out in Pacific Palisades and Altadena back in January, millions of taxpayers now have a little extra breathing room. The usual tax deadline of April 15, 2025, has officially been pushed back to October 15, 2025. That’s right, an added six months to file and pay both federal and state taxes without the hassle of getting an extension. Isn’t that some great news?

Why the Extension?

The extension is a direct result of a disaster declaration issued due to the wildfires that wreaked havoc in parts of L.A. County. When disasters like this happen, they can disrupt not just people’s homes, but also their finances. Thanks to this declaration, taxpayers impacted by the wildfires can breathe a little easier when it comes to tax season.

Who Qualifies?

So, who gets to enjoy this extended deadline? Anyone with a record address in Los Angeles County qualifies for the extension. This means that if you filed your taxes in previous years from an address in the county, you can take advantage of this much-needed break. However, it’s important to note that if you live in neighboring counties like Orange County (1.6 million returns), Riverside County (1.1 million), San Bernardino County (986,000), or San Diego County (1.6 million), you’ll still need to stick to the regular tax deadlines.

What About Penalties and Interest?

The best part? Taxpayers won’t incur any penalties or interest as long as they file by the new deadline of October 15. The IRS automatically provides relief for those impacted by these wildfires, so you can file stress-free. This means you can focus on recovering from the wildfires instead of stressing over your tax return.

Filing Tips and Information

Franchise Tax Board to your situation and ensures that your filing benefits from the extension. If you’re filing electronically, follow the software’s instructions to input the disaster-related info. For those wondering, a disaster code (157) has been set for Los Angeles County’s January wildfires, which you’ll need for your paperwork.

If you happen to receive any qualified wildfire relief payments—money that insurance doesn’t cover—good news! These will be excluded from your taxable income, providing some additional financial breathing room.

Resources for More Information

Franchise Tax Board has set up a dedicated website for the Los Angeles County fire relief. Be sure to check it out for detailed updates and resources that you might find helpful. Additionally, for wide-reaching situations, the IRS keeps an official list of all disaster locations eligible for tax relief, which is updated regularly.

Tax Relief for Los Angeles County Residents Affected by Wildfires

News Summary

Taxpayers in Los Angeles County Get a Helping Hand After January Wildfires

Why the Extension?

Who Qualifies?

What About Penalties and Interest?

Filing Tips and Information

Resources for More Information

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Author: HERE Hollywood