IRS announces tax relief for taxpayers affected by wildfires in Southeast Georgia

The IRS today announced tax relief for individuals and businesses in parts of Southeast Georgia affected by wildfires and straight-line winds that began on April 18, 2026. Taxpayers in the disaster area now have until August 20, 2026, to file federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments originally due during this period.

According to the IRS release—GA-2026-03—following the disaster declaration issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA),individuals and households that reside or have business in in Clinch, Echols, and Brantley counties qualify for tax relief.

The declaration permits the IRS to postpone certain tax-filing and tax-payment deadlines for taxpayers who reside or have a business in the disaster area. For instance, for certain deadlines falling on or after April 18, 2026, and on or before August 20, 2026, taxpayers are granted additional time to file.

Individual income tax returns and payments, as well as quarterly payroll and certain excise tax returns normally due on April 30, 2026, and July 31, 2026, are covered by the extension. Penalties on payroll and excise tax deposits due on or after April 18, 2026, and before May 4, 2026, will be abated as long as the tax deposits are made by May 4, 2026.