CALIFORNIA CORNER: IRS Extends California Disaster Relief Again!

On October 16, 2023, the IRS issued IR-2023-189, further postponing tax deadlines for most California taxpayers to Nov. 16, 2023. In the wake of last winter’s natural disasters, the normal spring due dates had previously been postponed to October 16.

As a result, most individuals and businesses in California will now have until November 16 to file their 2022 returns and pay any tax due. Fifty-five of California’s 58 counties—all except Lassen, Modoc and Shasta counties—qualify. IRS relief is based on three different FEMA disaster declarations covering severe winter storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides over a period of several months.

Eligible returns and payments include:

• 2022 individual income tax returns and payments normally due on April 18.
• For eligible taxpayers, 2022 contributions to IRAs and health savings accounts.
• Quarterly estimated tax payments normally due on April 18, June 15 and Sept. 15.
• Calendar-year 2022 partnership and S corporation returns normally due on March 15.
• Calendar-year 2022 corporate and fiduciary income tax returns and payments normally due on April 18.
• Quarterly payroll and excise tax returns normally due on May 1, July 31 and Oct. 31.
• Calendar-year 2022 returns filed by tax-exempt organizations normally due on May 15.

The California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) generally conforms to IRS postponement periods.  However, as with the earlier postponement, practitioners should know that California taxpayers with other state filing requirements should file those other state returns by the original extended  due date of October 15, 2023.