IRS Disaster Tax Relief – Important Update for Certain WA Clients
This notice applies only to taxpayers connected to specific Washington counties (listed below).
What’s happening
The IRS has announced federal tax deadline relief for taxpayers impacted by severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides in parts of Washington State.
For qualifying taxpayers, certain federal filing and payment deadlines have been postponed to May 1, 2026.
Who this applies to
This relief applies only if you live in or operate a business in one of the following Washington counties:
Benton, Chelan, Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, King, Kittitas, Lewis, Mason, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston, Wahkiakum, Whatcom, and Yakima.
If you are not connected to one of these counties, this relief does not apply to you.
Which federal deadlines are extended (for qualifying taxpayers)
Federal deadlines that would otherwise fall between December 9, 2025 and April 30, 2026 are postponed to May 1, 2026, including:
-
2025 individual and business income tax returns
-
Balance-due payments with those returns
-
Q4 2025 estimated tax payment (normally due January 15, 2026)
-
Q1 2026 estimated tax payment (normally due April 15, 2026)
Payments covered by this relief and made by May 1, 2026 will generally not incur federal late-payment or underpayment penalties.
Our approach to filing
Even if you qualify for this relief, our goal is still to file most returns by the normal April 15 deadline when information is complete and no extended planning is required.
The May 1 deadline provides flexibility, not a default extension. We will recommend extensions only when appropriate based on your specific circumstances.
Important estimated tax note
This relief does not eliminate penalties for underpayments earlier in 2025:
If you are unsure whether your 2025 estimated payments are sufficient, please contact us so we can review.
What this does not cover
State tax deadlines (unless separately announced by the state)
Federal deadlines for taxpayers outside the counties listed above
Penalties related to underpayments earlier in 2025
What to do next
Please reach out if you are unsure whether you qualify based on county location, want guidance on estimated tax timing, or receive an IRS notice you would like reviewed.