Warnock Bill to Extend Tax Deadline for Victims of Natural Disasters

Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) has introduced bipartisan legislation alongside Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) known as the Disaster Related Extension of Deadlines Act. This bill would extend the Tax Day deadline for those who've been affected by natural disasters.

With states such as Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, Texas, California, and others that routinely encounter hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, and floods, this measure would grant more time for those who are still trying to get their life in order before they get their finances in order.

Sen. Rev. Warnock stated that citizens should not have to "race the clock" during tax season after a recent detrimental natural occurrence.

“Georgians impacted by natural disasters should not be racing the clock to get the money they’re owed from the federal government,” said Sen. Rev. Warnock. “That is why I’m proud to introduce the bipartisan Disaster Related Extension of Deadlines Act with Senator Tillis. I’m continuing to advocate for Georgians impacted by Hurricane Helene and other natural disasters.”

“Helene devastated communities across Western North Carolina, leaving many families struggling to recover,” said Senator Tillis. “North Carolinians affected by this disaster deserve the opportunity to claim the tax refunds they’re entitled to without facing unnecessary red tape. This commonsense legislation ensures disaster victims aren’t penalized for circumstances beyond their control and provides much-needed relief during the recovery process.”

When postponements are initiated, the IRS can still send out letters demanding payment which can confuse taxpayers. As Sen. Rev. Warnock's office points out, despite American taxpayers having three years to file a claim for credit or refunds of any overpayments.

However, "When a filing deadline is postponed due to a federally declared disaster or similar reason, the three-year 'lookback period' for paying refunds is not increased," Sen. Warnock's office mentioned. "As a result, some taxpayers who take advantage of a postponed filing deadline will not be able to obtain a refund."

Per the office, to ensure that taxpayers impacted by disasters are treated like every other taxpayer when claiming their refunds, the Disaster Related Extension of Deadlines Act would:

• Extend the three-year period for receiving a refund or credit when the IRS extends a filing deadline due to a natural disaster, ensuring that a deadline extension does not give disaster impacted taxpayers a shorter lookback period for claiming a refund;

• Ensure that the automatic IRS payment deadline is extended to match any disaster-based filing deadline extension