Here you'll find items of current interest — new programs, recent guidance or timely reminders. Tax updates and news from the IRS The Tax updates and news from the IRS page is designed to help anyone whether they are now preparing their tax return or are awaiting processing of a return or refund. It also has the latest updates on IRS letters and notices. Newer updates will be placed at the top of that page. The IRS will also provide critical updates through social media. Help for victims of Hurricane Helene The IRS announced disaster tax relief for all individuals and businesses affected by Hurricane Helene, including the entire states of Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina and parts of Florida, Tennessee and Virginia. As part of efforts to help victims the agency is also taking special steps to provide more than 500 employees to help with FEMA disaster relief call lines and sending IRS Criminal Investigation agents into devastated areas in North Carolina and Florida to help with search and rescue efforts and other relief work. The IRS also announced that it granted dyed diesel penalty relief as a result of Hurricane Helene. The agency will not impose a penalty when dyed diesel fuel with a sulfur content that does not exceed 15 parts-per-million is sold for use or used on the highway throughout Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina and in several counties in Florida, Tennessee and Virginia. Relief for farmers and ranchers impacted by drought The IRS issued guidance providing tax relief for farmers and ranchers in applicable regions forced to sell or exchange livestock because of drought conditions. The IRS provides this extension to eligible farmers and ranchers if the applicable region is listed as suffering exceptional, extreme or severe drought conditions during any week between Sept. 1, 2023, and Aug. 31, 2024. New relief for taxpayers affected by terrorist attacks in Israel Due to recent terrorist attacks in Israel, the IRS is providing additional tax relief to affected individuals and businesses, postponing until Sept. 30, 2025, a wide range of deadlines for filing federal returns, making tax payments and performing other time-sensitive tax-related actions. Notice 2024-72 PDF covers similar groups but is separate from Notice 2023-71, which originally provided relief to taxpayers affected by the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks in Israel. Tax relief now available to taxpayers affected by Washington wildfires The IRS announced disaster tax relief for individuals and businesses in the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation in Washington state affected by wildfires that began on June 22, 2024. Taxpayers affected have until Feb. 3, 2025, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments. Volunteers needed to provide free tax services The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs are currently recruiting volunteers across the country for the upcoming filing season. No experience is necessary to become a VITA or TCE volunteer. Free specialized training is provided by the IRS. Available positions are not limited to tax preparation and can include interpreters, greeters and computer specialists. IRS relief available to storm victims in parts of Illinois The IRS announced disaster tax relief for individuals and businesses in parts of Illinois affected by severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding that began on July 13, 2024. Affected taxpayers now have until Feb. 3, 2025, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments. Supplemental claim process for Employee Retention Credit The IRS is opening a supplemental claim process to help third-party payers and their clients resolve incorrect claims for the Employee Retention Credit. This supplemental claim process lets a third-party payer that filed a prior claim with multiple clients “withdraw” only some clients while maintaining the claims of the qualifying clients. Offer in Compromise "mills" mislead taxpayers Beware of promoters claiming their services are necessary to resolve unpaid taxes owed to the IRS while charging excessive fees, often with no results. These unscrupulous “mills” use aggressive marketing to make false claims of guaranteed settlements for “pennies-on-the-dollar,” or will say there’s a limited window of time to resolve tax debts through the IRS Offer in Compromise (OIC) program. Hurricane Debby tax relief available for Pennsylvania taxpayers The IRS announced tax relief for individuals and businesses affected by Hurricane Debby in Pennsylvania. Affected taxpayers now have until Feb. 3, 2025, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments. Pennsylvania is the sixth state to qualify for relief, along with Vermont, South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia. IRS offers relief to Tropical Storm Francine victims in Louisiana IRS announced tax relief for taxpayers in the entire state of Louisiana affected by Tropical Storm Francine that began on Sept. 10, 2024. These taxpayers now have until Feb. 3, 2025, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments. Tax relief for victims of severe storms and flooding in Connecticut and New York IRS announced tax relief for individuals and businesses in Connecticut and New York affected by severe storms and flooding from torrential rainfalls that began on Aug. 18, 2024. Taxpayers now have until Feb. 3, 2025, to file various federal and business tax returns and make tax payments. ERC voluntary disclosure program reopens The IRS announced a second ERC Voluntary Disclosure Program that allows businesses to correct improper payments at a 15% discount and avoid future audits, penalties and interest. The program is open through Nov. 22, 2024. $1.3 billion recovered from high-income individuals under IRA initiatives U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen and Commissioner of the IRS Danny Werfel announced new milestones under Inflation Reduction Act initiatives to ensure wealthy individuals pay taxes owed, improve service for taxpayers through the Digital First Initiative and modernize foundational technology. IRS provides extension filers summertime help ahead of October deadline The IRS encourages taxpayers who requested an extension of time to file their taxes to consider using IRS Free File and other resources on IRS.gov to help them file over the summer rather than waiting for the October deadline. There’s no need to wait if taxpayers are ready to file. Taking advantage of the resources available at IRS.gov can help individuals avoid a possible deadline crunch later this fall.
