Tax deadlines extended for LA County residents

For most U.S. taxpayers, the deadline to file 2024 taxes is April 15. However, those living in jurisdictions affected by the January 2025 wildfires have been given additional time to manage their tax obligations without incurring additional penalties or interest.

Individual taxpayers and business owners living in Los Angeles County now have until Oct. 15 to file their 2024 state and federal returns. The deadline extensions also impact certain tax payment deadlines. This relief has been applied automatically—taxpayers do not need to take additional action to benefit from this relief.

It’s important to note that, although the filing deadlines have been extended, taxpayers are encouraged to pay any previously owed taxes by the original due date to minimize interest charges. ​As always, it is important to consult with a tax professional or refer to official IRS and Franchise Tax Board (FTB) communications for specific guidance about one’s individual tax situation. Additional guidance on tax relief provisions is available via the IRS’s Disaster Hotline at 1-866-562-5227.

Who is Eligible for Relief?

Tax relief has been granted automatically to individuals, businesses, and tax-exempt organizations in Los Angeles County and other federally declared disaster areas impacted by the January 2025 wildfires. Taxpayers who are located outside the disaster zone but who have tax records, businesses, or critical operations within Los Angeles may also qualify for extensions. However, it is important to confirm one’s eligibility on a case-by-case basis.

Deadlines extended through Oct. 15 include:

• Individual income tax returns and payments normally due on April 15, 2025.
• Quarterly estimated tax payments for Jan. 15, April 15, June 16, and Sept. 15, 2025.
• 2024 contributions to IRAs and health savings accounts for eligible taxpayers.
• Partnership and S Corporation returns due March 17, 2025.
• Corporation and fiduciary returns due April 15, 2025.
• Tax-exempt organization returns due May 15, 2025.
• Quarterly payroll and excise tax returns due Jan. 31, April 30, and July 31, 2025.

Additional Relief Measures:

• Casualty Loss Deductions: taxpayers may be eligible to claim disaster-related losses not covered by insurance or other reimbursements on their federal tax return (Form 4684).
• Late Payment Penalty and Interest Relief: taxpayers may seek eligibility for penalty waivers or reduced interest charges if they cannot pay on time.
• Property Tax Relief: Extensions on penalties, costs, and interest on late property tax payments are granted until April 10, 2026, for certain zip codes. These extensions exclude any property tax payments that were delinquent as of Jan. 6, 2025, as well as property tax payments made from an impound account.
• Reconstruction & Assistance Grants: some may qualify for low-interest federal disaster loans from FEMA or the Small Business Administration (SBA).
• Retirement Account Access: taxpayers may be eligible for early withdrawals from retirement accounts such as 401(k)s and IRAs without penalty under disaster-related relief provisions.

If you have any questions about the upcoming tax deadlines, please consult your Westmount advisor.