Hurricane Helene Resources
If you’ve been affected by Hurricane Helene, we want you to know that we’re here to support you through the recovery process. Below, you’ll find a comprehensive list of resources and information to help you navigate through this difficult time, including options for individual and business assistance.
IRS Issues Tax-Filing Extension for Hurricane Helene Victims
May 1, 2025, Tax Deadline for Affected Individuals and Businesses
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced a tax-filing extension until May 1, 2025, for all individuals and businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene. This relief applies to taxpayers in the following counties: Alachua, Bay, Bradford, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, Columbia, Dixie, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hernando, Hillsborough, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Monroe, Okaloosa, Pasco, Pinellas, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington.
Additional Relief for Tropical Storm Debby Affected Taxpayers
The IRS has also extended the tax-filing deadline to May 1, 2025, for individuals and businesses previously granted a filing extension until February 3, 2025, due to Tropical Storm Debby in Florida. This means all affected taxpayers now have additional time to file and make payments.
For more information or assistance, please reach out to our office or visit the IRS website. Stay safe and take advantage of the available relief!
Florida Department of Revenue Issues Filing Extensions for Taxpayers Impacted by Recent Hurricanes and Severe Storms
The Florida Department of Revenue (DOR) has announced critical tax relief for individuals and businesses affected by Hurricane Helene, Hurricane Debby, and the severe storms that struck the Big Bend region in May. These extensions aim to support recovery efforts for taxpayers in the hardest-hit areas by providing additional time to comply with various tax filing and payment obligations.
DOR Emergency Order #24-002: Tax Extensions for Hurricane Helene Affected Counties
The DOR’s Emergency Order #24-002 extends the September 2024 and October 2024 reporting periods for sales and use tax, reemployment tax, and other affected tax types until November 22, 2024. This extension specifically applies to the 17 Florida counties where Hurricane Helene made landfall:
- Counties Covered: Charlotte, Citrus, Dixie, Franklin, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Taylor, and Wakulla.
Taxpayers in these counties now have additional time to file their returns and remit payments for the specified tax types. This emergency order aims to alleviate financial pressure on businesses as they rebuild and recover.
Alignment with IRS Tax Relief: Extended Due Dates for Florida Corporate Income/Franchise Tax
In alignment with the IRS, the Florida Department of Revenue has announced further relief for corporate income and franchise tax filers. Eligible taxpayers who file corporate income or franchise tax returns with original or extended due dates falling on or after September 23, 2024, and before May 16, 2025, now have a new due date of May 16, 2025.
This includes taxpayers who were previously granted extensions due to the following events:
- Hurricane Debby: Affected taxpayers with postponed due dates until February 18, 2025, will now have until May 16, 2025, to file and/or pay.
- Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes in May 2024: Taxpayers in the impacted counties will also benefit from the May 16, 2025, extension.
This extension applies to all affected businesses in the counties listed below, providing additional time to recover from these natural disasters:
- Counties Eligible for Corporate Income/Franchise Tax Relief:
- Alachua, Bay, Bradford, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, Columbia, Dixie, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hernando, Hillsborough, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Monroe, Okaloosa, Pasco, Pinellas, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington.
The extension ensures that affected taxpayers have the flexibility to address their tax obligations without the immediate pressure of looming deadlines, allowing them to focus on recovery and rebuilding.
Advocacy and Support from the Florida Institute of CPAs (FICPA)
The Florida Institute of CPAs (FICPA) has been actively advocating for comprehensive tax relief for affected members across the state. The FICPA submitted a letter to DOR Executive Director Dr. Jim Zingale, requesting all applicable relief for impacted taxpayers. The FICPA will continue to work closely with state and federal agencies to provide ongoing guidance and support as new information becomes available.
How to Protect Yourself from Hurricane-Related Scams and Fraud
In the aftermath of hurricanes and other natural disasters, scammers and identity thieves often target vulnerable individuals. Learn how to identify suspicious activity and report scams to protect yourself.
For more information, visit the FEMA Disaster Fraud page or read CISA’s warning on hurricane-related scams.
How to Use Your IRA or Retirement Accounts for Disaster Relief
If you’re facing financial hardship due to the impact of Hurricane Helene, there may be penalty and tax relief available for withdrawing funds from your retirement accounts. The IRS and Congress have assistance options specifically for those using their IRA to cover disaster-related expenses.
For guidance on how to access and use your IRA without incurring penalties, please contact our office.
Hurricane Helene Small Business Assistance
If your business was impacted by Hurricane Helene, there are several disaster loan programs available through the Small Business Administration (SBA). Here’s an overview of the current assistance programs and eligibility details:
- Disaster Declaration Number: FL-20012
- Type of Damage: Hurricanes
- Date Disaster Occurred: September 23, 2024, and continuing
- Date Disaster Declared: September 28, 2024
- Deadline for Physical Damage Filing: November 27, 2024
- Deadline for Economic Injury Filing: June 30, 2025
Areas Eligible for SBA Disaster Loans:
Florida: Charlotte, Citrus, Dixie, Franklin, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Taylor, Wakulla, Alachua, Collier, Desoto, Gilchrist, Glades, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Leon, Liberty, Marion, Polk, Sumter, and Suwannee counties. View SBA Disaster Assistance for Florida.
Georgia: Rabun, Towns, Union, Brooks, Lowndes, Thomas, Burke, Elbert, Franklin, Habersham, Hart, Rabun, Richmond, Stephens counties. View SBA Disaster Assistance for Georgia.
North Carolina: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, Yancey, Cherokee, Graham, Iredell, Mecklenburg, Surry, Swain, Yadkin counties. View SBA Disaster Assistance for North Carolina.
South Carolina: Aiken, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, Lexington, Newberry, Oconee, Pickens, Saluda, Spartanburg, Abbeville, Allendale, Calhoun, Colleton, Edgefield, Fairfield, Hampton, Laurens, McCormick, Orangeburg, Richland, Union, York counties. View SBA Disaster Assistance for South Carolina.
Tennessee: Carter, Cocke, Greene, Johnson, Sevier, Unicoi counties. View SBA Disaster Assistance for Tennessee.
Virginia: Grayson county. View SBA Disaster Assistance for Virginia.
For additional details and to apply, visit the SBA Disaster Loan Assistance Portal.
Applying for FEMA Disaster Assistance
The fastest way to apply for disaster assistance is through DisasterAssistance.gov. You can also apply through the FEMA mobile app or by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use a video relay or other communication service, provide FEMA with the specific number assigned to that service.
What Happens After Applying?
After you submit your application, FEMA will review your request to determine if an inspection is needed to verify disaster-related damage to your home and personal property. FEMA staff and inspectors may contact you to discuss the damage and potentially request additional information.
If more information is needed, FEMA will send you a letter outlining the necessary documentation to support your eligibility for assistance.
Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program
FloridaCommerce has activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program, making $15 million available for businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene. This program provides short-term, zero-interest loans to small businesses that experienced economic injury or physical damage due to the hurricane.
- Loan Amounts: Eligible small businesses can apply for loans of up to $50,000. Loans of up to $100,000 are available for agriculture and aquaculture small businesses.
- Application Deadline: November 24, 2024, or until all available funds are expended.
- Purpose: These loans are intended to “bridge the gap” between the time a disaster impacts a business and when longer-term recovery funding (e.g., insurance claims or federally available loans) is secured.
- Repayment Terms: Loans under this program are zero-interest, short-term personal loans funded by the State of Florida. They must be repaid by the approved applicant.
Visit FloridaJobs.org/EBL to learn more about the program, view lending guidelines, and complete an application. For more assistance, business owners can call 833-832-4494 Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time.
For more information on available resources and ongoing updates, please reach out to us directly or visit our website’s resource page. We’re here to help you through your recovery journey.
How to Verify a Contractor’s License After a Hurricane
When hiring contractors for repairs after a natural disaster, it’s crucial to ensure they are properly licensed through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).
Use the DBPR Licensing Portal to verify their credentials and avoid unlicensed contractors.
