Buzz
A recent Empower survey revealed that only 44% of Americans are aware of the 2022 tax filing deadline. To clarify, this year’s tax day is April 18, offering procrastinators an extra three days compared to previous years.
The final deadline is April 18 instead of the typical April 15, as the 15th lands on a Saturday, and the following Monday is Emancipation Day—a Washington DC holiday marking the abolition of slavery in the district. This extension also applies to contributions for IRAs, Roth IRAs, SEP IRAs, HSAs, and 401(k)s for the 2022 tax year. Additionally, April 18 is the last day to request an extension for your 2022 tax filings.
Disaster-related extensions for 2022 federal income tax filings
Residents in regions severely affected by natural disasters may qualify for an extended federal tax filing deadline. For example, taxpayers in most of California and parts of Alabama and Georgia have until October 16, 2023, to file their 2022 taxes. This extension applies to individual income tax returns, certain business returns typically due on March 15 and April 18, and tax-exempt organization returns usually due by May 15. Additionally, eligible individuals can contribute to their IRAs and health savings accounts for 2022 until October 16.
If you’re unsure whether your location qualifies as a disaster area—since it doesn’t cover entire states, only specific regions—visit the IRS’s Tax Relief in Disaster Situations page for details or call 866-562-5227 between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. in your local time zone.
No additional paperwork is required if you live in a designated disaster area. The IRS has already identified eligible residents, and the extension will be applied automatically.
Steps to take if you can’t file your taxes by the deadline
If you’re unable to meet the tax filing deadline for any reason, you can request an extension by submitting IRS Form 4868. This will help you avoid late-filing penalties. However, remember that your tax payment is still due by April 18, and the IRS requires you to pay at least 80% of your estimated tax liability by that date.
For a comprehensive guide on navigating federal income tax extensions, explore this informative Mytour article.
