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IRS Announces Tax Relief for Taxpayers Impacted by Terrorist Attacks in Israel

By October 13, 2023No Comments

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced tax relief for individuals and businesses affected by the terrorist attacks in the State of Israel, extending the Ot. 16, 2023 tax return extension deadline and several other time-sensitive tax issues to Oct. 7, 2024.  The IRS will continue to monitor events and may provide additional relief.

Filing and Payment Relief Postponement Period is Oct. 7, 2023 to Oct 7, 2024

Various tax filing and payment deadlines during the period from Oct. 7, 2023, through Oct. 7, 2024 (postponement period) will be affected, including an extension for individuals and businesses until Oct. 7, 2024, to file returns and pay any taxes that were originally due during this period. The IRS also stated:

  • Individuals who had a valid extension to file their 2022 return due to run out on Oct. 16, 2023.  However,  because tax payments related to these 2022 returns were due on April 18, 2023, those payments are not eligible for this relief. So, these individuals filing on extensions have more time to file, but not to pay.
  • Calendar-year corporations whose 2022 extensions run out on Oct. 16, 2023 also have more time to file, but not to pay.
  • 2023 individual and business returns and payments normally due on March 15 and April 15, 2024 are postpones so individuals and businesses have both more time to file and more time to pay.
  • Quarterly estimated income tax payments normally due on Jan. 16, April 15, June 17 and Sept. 16, 2024 are postponed, as are quarterly payroll and excise tax returns normally due on Oct. 31, 2023, and Jan. 31, April 30 and July 31, 2024.
  • Calendar-year tax-exempt organizations whose extensions run out on Nov. 15, 2023 are also included.
  • Retirement plan contributions and rollovers dates in the postponement period are also affected.

There are other tax-related deadlines postponed as well. Full details can be found in here.

In addition, the penalty for failure to make payroll and excise tax deposits due on or after Oct. 7, 2023 and before Nov. 6, 2023, will be abated as long as the deposits are made by Nov. 6, 2023.

Who Qualifies for Tax Relief Related to Terrorist Attacks in Israel?

  • Any individual whose principal residence or business entity or sole proprietor whose principal place of business is in Israel, the West Bank or Gaza (the covered area).
  • Any individual, business or sole proprietor, or estate or trust whose books, records or tax preparer is located in the covered area.
  • Anyone killed, injured, or taken hostage due to the terrorist attacks.
  • Any individual affiliated with a recognized government or philanthropic organization and who is assisting in the covered area, such as a relief worker.

The IRS automatically identifies taxpayers whose principal residence or principal place of business is located in the covered area based on previously filed returns and applies relief. Other eligible taxpayers can obtain this relief by calling the IRS disaster hotline at 866-562-5227. International callers may call 267-941-1000.

If an affected taxpayer receives a late filing or late payment penalty notice from the IRS for the postponement period, the taxpayer should call the number on the notice to have the penalty abated.