Tax Relief from Severe Storms and Flooding

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (CIVIC MEDIA) – Wisconsinites impacted by severe storms, damaging winds and flooding, help is available with deadlines pushed back.

The Internal Revenue Service announced that tax relief for people and businesses in areas of the state affected by storms, now have until Feb. 2, 2026, to file federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.

You can deduct personal property losses that are not covered by insurance or other reimbursements. When claiming disaster loss, add FEMA disaster declaration number, 4892-DR on any return.

Following the disaster declaration issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), homes or business in Milwaukee, Washington, and Waukesha counties qualify for this tax relief.

The IRS says they automatically identify taxpayers located in the covered area and apply filing and payment relief. But those who live or have a business outside of the disaster area, should call IRS Special Services at 866-562-5227 to request it.

All relief workers affiliated with a recognized government or philanthropic organization assisting in the relief efforts in the covered disaster area qualify. Also, anyone that visited the disaster area and was injured as a result can also get relief.

Those who do not qualify, may apply for reasonable cause penalty abatement.

If you were affected and still get a late filing or late payment penalty notice from the IRS, call the telephone number on the notice immediately to have the IRS abate the penalty.

The Feb. 2, 2026, filing deadline applies to:

• Any individual, business or tax-exempt organization that has a valid extension to file their 2024 return due to run out on Oct. 15, 2025.
• Quarterly estimated income tax payments normally due on Sept. 15, 2025, and Jan. 15, 2026.
• Quarterly payroll and excise tax returns normally due on Oct. 31, 2025, and Jan. 31, 2026.
• Calendar-year partnerships and S corporations whose 2024 extensions run out on Sept. 15, 2025.
• Calendar-year corporations whose 2024 extensions run out on Oct. 15, 2025.
• Calendar-year tax exempt organizations whose extensions run out on Nov. 17, 2025.

Additional information.

According to the IRS, qualified disaster relief payments are generally excluded from gross income. Which means you don’t have to include income amounts received from a government agency for necessary personal, family, or living expenses. As well as for the repair or rehabilitation of the home, or for the repair or replacement of its contents.