Illinois Tax Relief: Extension Granted For Storm-Affected Residents, Businesses

Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Revenue recently announced significant disaster tax relief for individuals and businesses impacted by the severe storms that hit parts of Illinois beginning on July 13, 2024.

This relief is aimed at easing the financial burden for those recovering from tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding in the designated disaster areas.

Deadline Extensions for Taxpayers

Affected taxpayers now have until February 3, 2025, to file state individual and business tax returns and make payments.

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This extension provides additional time for individuals and businesses to gather essential paperwork without worrying about penalties or interest on their state tax obligations.

Residents who live or have businesses in the affected areas won’t need to worry about incurring penalties and interest on their tax deadlines until February. This additional time will allow them to focus on recovering without added financial stress.-Governor Pritzker

Counties Eligible for Relief

The tax relief is available to individuals and businesses in areas designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). As of now, the affected counties include:

Cook
Fulton
Henry
St. Clair
Washington
Will
Winnebago

Additional counties may be added as FEMA evaluates the disaster area. Relief applies to income tax filings and payments originally due between July 13, 2024, and February 3, 2025.

Important Deadlines Covered

The new February deadline also covers quarterly estimated income tax payments due on September 16, 2024, and January 15, 2025, as well as quarterly payroll and excise tax returns due on July 31, October 31, 2024, and January 31, 2025. However, this relief does not apply to sales and excise taxes or the Motor Fuel Use Tax (IFTA).

For those needing to file by mail, it is important to write “July 2024-Storms” in red at the top of their returns, according to the press release. Taxpayers filing electronically should notify the Department of Revenue by email if their return will be delayed.

This tax relief is intended to help communities across Illinois recover from the devastating storms by providing the extra time and flexibility needed to meet state tax obligations.