adding an alert for people that are filing inside a disaster zone or state

[rpackard064]

In 2024 filers from several states affected by Hurricane Helene, were allowed an automatic delay to May 1st, 2025, for e-filing.  It would be useful to the tax-preparer if there was an alert message to make sure the preparer knows that a disaster event has affected the filing process, and reminders of how the filing process was changed (if any).

[TaxGuyBill]

How has it affected the filing process?  Aren't things filed exactly as any other tax return?

[rpackard064]

my only point was that a client brought the extra filing delay to May 1st to my attention---I did not know this because my filing state for 90% of my clients is WI---it would be a helpful reminder if ProSeries would give us an alert when we populate a state form that has been somehow affected by a disaster zone

[sjrcpa]

They didn't update the software for any of these disasters (neither did IRS or states update their systems). Expecting a "helpful reminder" is beyond the pale for Intuit.

[IRonMaN]

Most of the time, whole states aren't affected by declared disaster areas.  Personally, I don't want programmers to eat up time doing something that is very limited in scope.  I would much rather have them spend the time getting forms out promptly and accurately.  If a client was affected by a disaster in an area I'm not familiar with, they can tell me and I'll spend a couple of minutes verifying the detail.

[George4Tacks]

@rpackard064 consider signing up with IRS to get those and many other Alerts https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/subscribe-to-quickalerts  

This and many other IRS subscriptions are available at https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/e-news-subscriptions Look in the Tax Professionals area

[dd4vols]

I live in Tennessee, where all 95 counties were declared Federal Disaster areas, and extended April 15 filings to November 3rd. That supersedes the May 1 deadline for counties in East Tennessee impacted by Hurricane Helene. How they chose November 3rd, I'll never know, but here is what is now due for people who live in Tennessee.  ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!  1040s are not due til 11/03/25.  1st qtr., 2nd qtr., and 3rd qtr. Form1040ES payments are not due til 11/03/2025. Any payroll tax form filing (941) and tax payments (941 & 940) are not due until Nov 3rd. Other federal taxes such as 720 and 2290 are not due until 11/03/25. This edict came out about 9am April 14th. And thank God for e-services email to alert me.

I'm not worldwide by any means..LOL..but I have clients in Alabama who got relief to file until May 1st. (Hurricane Helene). and until May 1st in Florida (Hurricane Helene). My clients in Mississippi got no disaster relief, and my clients in Kentucky[correction-- @BobKamman corrected me on this state] and West Virginia got no disaster relief. I guess what I'm trying to say, is that would be an enormous and times-taking process for Intuit to be on the hook for.

They can't babysit each of us. One quick google search about 3 years ago, led me to the following.  I have it saved, and when Jim Cantore on The Weather Channel goes on location, I start referring to this site.

www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-relief-in-disaster-situations

just right click it, and open in a new tab... a world of disasters open up to your eyes!

[BobKamman]

@dd4vols Are you sure about Kentucky?  They may not have received a 1040 extension, but 59 counties got other relief, including delayed ES payments which would affect any Form 2210 computation. 

How does IRS (or any software) know from the ZIP Code whether a taxpayer is a disaster victim?  If I have clients with a late filed return, can they move to Tennessee and avoid penalties?  Can I send them to you and ask if they can use your office address?  (That would avoid questions from state revenue departments, as well.)  

[dd4vols]

@BobKamman , you are so right about Kentucky.  I don't have very many clients in Kentucky, nor the other impacted states I noted.  But we seem to keep most of the clients that move out of our little burg. I have 4 clients now in Kentucky, 3 got refunds, and by shear good luck, the one that owes, we got her an extension.  Pure Luck...great accounting had nothing to do with that. So, I need to do a better job of following my own routine.

It's really Cantore's fault, however, never saw him reporting from the Bluegrass State.🤣😂🤣

@BobKamman , sure send those clients over.  For a very LARGE retainer fee, and prep fee, we can help you! 😎.

I will have a mild skirmish with the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, I suspect. Even though I attached a copy of IR-2025-47 to the Pennsylvania return I filed last week, I don't expect anyone to look at it til I ask them to.

[IntuitGabi]

Hi @rpackard064 I'll ask the ProSeries team if we can provide these notifications in-product by state when they are announced. In the meantime, there are great ideas above. You can also visit the ProSeries Hot Topics page. You can also get emails about these topics. Here's where you can Subscribe.