IRS gives Pennsylvania taxpayers more time to file due to Hurricane Ida

Sept. 14 (UPI) -- Taxpayers who live in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania have been given another extension to file their 2020 federal tax returns, due to the impact of Hurricane Ida.

The Internal Revenue Service said Monday that residents and businesses in parts of Pennsylvania affected by the storm -- who had filed an initial extension for 2020 taxes -- now have until Jan. 3 to file the returns.

Taxpayers who filed for an extension past the May 17 deadline originally had until Oct. 15 to file the returns. The new extension gives them almost three additional months.

The IRS had previously granted the same relief to affected areas in New York, New Jersey, Louisiana and Mississippi.

"During this difficult time, the IRS stands ready to help victims of Hurricane Ida," IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig said in a statement. "We want people affected by this devastating hurricane focused on their safety and recovery for themselves and their families.

"To provide assistance now and in the weeks ahead, we have a variety of different types of relief available to help people and businesses affected by this disaster."

The extension applies to any business or resident in any area designated for relief by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The extension also applies to quarterly estimated income tax payments, which are made by self-employed taxpayers.

Hurricane Ida made landfall in Louisiana on Aug. 29 and cut power to more than 1 million customers in the state for several days. Remnants of the storm moved northeast and ultimately caused severe flooding in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Nearly 50 people died as a result of the flooding.