Tax and financial relief is available through the state of California and the IRS to victims of the recent wildfires impacting Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. This relief includes an extension of all individual tax returns, IRA contributions for the previous years, and important business taxes, such as payroll and sales tax.
At Horizon Trust, we are committed to assisting the victims of the wildfires and their families in any way we can. That is why we want to inform you about any relief that can help your financial situation.
Here is what California residents and businesses impacted by the fire need to know.
IRS Has Extended All Tax Filing Deadlines for Affected Victims
The IRS announced that it will enact tax relief to any areas impacted by the wildfire designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The relief extends the deadline to file tax returns and pay taxes to Oct. 15, 2025, for the following items:
- Individual Tax Returns & Payments
- 2024 IRA & HSA Contributions: Eligible taxpayers can make 2024 contributions up to the Oct 15, 2025 deadline.
- Partnership & S Corporation Returns
- Corporate & Fiduciary Returns
- Tax-Exempt Organization Returns
- 2024 Quarterly Estimated Taxes: Income Tax payments, usually due January 15, April 15, June 16, and September 15, 2025, has been extended.
- Quarterly Payroll & Excise Tax Returns: Typically due January 31, April 30, and July 31, 2025 are extended to the October deadline.
Additional tax relief is also available in the form of:
- Claiming Disaster-Related Losses: Taxpayers in federally declared disaster areas can claim uninsured or unreimbursed losses on their 2025 return (filed next year) or their 2024 return. The election deadline is six months after the disaster year’s federal tax return due date (October 15, 2026, for individuals). Include FEMA declaration number 4856-DR on any loss claim. See Publication 547 for details.
- Qualified Disaster Relief Payments: These taxpayers can exclude from their gross income funds received from government agencies for covering necessary personal, family, living or funeral expenses, and home repair or content replacement. See Publication 525 for more information.
- Retirement Plan Relief: Special disaster distributions may avoid the 10% early withdrawal penalty and allow income spread over three years. Hardship withdrawals may also apply; check specific plan rules.
Additionally, residents who have recently moved to a federally declared disaster zone after their last tax return will also qualify for relief.
California Extends Tax Deadlines for Impacted Filers
California Governor Gavin Newsom recently declared a state of emergency for Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, waiving the one-week waiting period to file for unemployment benefits and providing businesses and individuals with an additional 3-month extension to file all CDTFA administered taxes, including the Sales and Use Tax. In addition, the state is providing employers with an additional 60-day extension (if requested) to file all state payroll and deposit payroll taxes.
Click here for a list of CDTFA taxes that have been extended.
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