Tax season can stress individuals and businesses alike, especially when faced with unexpected challenges like natural disasters. In Washington state, recent wildfires have significantly impacted taxpayers across various counties. The good news is that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has implemented tax relief measures to ease the burden on affected taxpayers.
This blog post will inform us about the Washington County tax deadline extension for 2024, provide information about filing deadlines for both disaster-declared and non-declared areas, and list affected counties.
Is the Tax Deadline Extended in Washington?
Washington state residents’ standard tax filing deadline is April 15th, 2024. However, the IRS has granted some counties affected by wildfires an extension. These extensions are crucial in providing residents and businesses with the time needed to recover and rebuild without the immediate pressure of tax obligations.
This relief allows taxpayers residing in these designated counties more time to file their federal taxes, which provides much-needed support during recovery periods.
Washington Tax Extension Deadline 2024
The IRS has recently announced that taxpayers in certain Washington counties are eligible for an extension to file and pay their federal taxes until June 17th, 2024. This extension covers a range of federal tax returns, including those for individuals and businesses.
However, it’s important to note that this extension applies only to federal taxes and may not affect your state tax filing deadline. Understanding the new deadlines and the procedure for applying for extensions is crucial to complying with the regulations and avoiding any penalties.
When are Taxes Due in Washington for Taxpayers in Areas Declared a Federal Disaster?
Taxpayers residing in areas declared as federal disaster zones in Washington are eligible for postponed deadlines for filing various tax returns and making payments. The new filing deadline to pay these taxes is June 17, 2024. This means that residents in disaster-declared counties can leverage the IRS extension to file their state returns alongside their federal returns.
When Are Taxes Due in Washington for Taxpayers in Areas That Were Not Declared a Federal Disaster?
Taxpayers who live in areas of Washington that were not declared federal disaster zones must adhere to the standard state tax filing deadline of April 15th, 2024. It’s important to be aware of the regular deadlines to avoid any delays in filing taxes and potential penalties associated with late filings.
However, if taxpayers in this area require additional time to complete the tax return, they can fill out form 4868, the Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. This form will grant them six (6) months to file.
Washington Counties with a Federal Disaster Declaration in 2023
In 2023, wildfires caused such severe damage that the federal government declared them disasters in multiple counties of Washington. This declaration allowed taxpayers in the affected areas to have extended deadlines to file and pay their taxes, which was a crucial support for them during recovery. Counties like Spokane and Whitman were among those hit by the wildfires. The taxpayers residing in these areas can now file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments until June 17, 2024.
Washington Counties Without a Federal Disaster Declaration in 2023
Although many counties in Washington, including Adams, Benton, Columbia, Franklin, Grant, Lewis, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Skamania, Spokane, Wahkiakum, Walla Walla, Whatcom, and many more, were not affected by the recent wildfires, taxpayers in these counties are still required to adhere to the standard tax filing and payment deadlines, which is April 15, 2024.
How to Pay Washington State Tax?
To pay your Washington State taxes, you have various options to choose from:
- Online Payments: Taxpayers can pay their taxes through the Washington State Department of Revenue portal. This platform allows for secure and easy payments via direct bank transfer or credit card.
- Mail: If you prefer the traditional payment method, you can mail a check or money order. Including all necessary identification details and tax period information on your payment is important.
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Conclusion
Tax filing can be complex, especially for recovering from a disaster. However, the IRS offers some relief to Washington residents impacted by the wildfires. Taxpayers residing in these areas should take advantage of the extended deadline for filing federal taxes. Beem offers cost-effective tax filing services that guarantee you the highest possible refund, even as individual state filing deadlines are delayed by natural disasters. Use the Free Tax Calculator from Beem to get a quick and accurate tax refund estimate.
