Governor Brian P. Kemp, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Georgia Department of Revenue announced on May 8 that certain tax return and payment deadlines have been extended for residents affected by the Georgia Highway 82 Wildfire and Pineland Road Wildfire in Clinch, Echols, and Brantley Counties.
The announcement is intended to ease the burden on individuals and businesses recovering from recent wildfires caused by severe drought conditions. The extensions aim to give those impacted additional time to meet their state and federal tax obligations as they work to rebuild.
“We are leaving no stone unturned when it comes to helping those impacted by the unprecedented drought conditions that led to the South Georgia wildfires,” said Governor Kemp. “I’m grateful to the Trump administration for this declaration that will further those efforts as families work on rebuilding their homes and livelihoods.”
State Revenue Commissioner David Burge said, “Our priority is making sure impacted Georgians have one less thing to worry about as they recover from these wildfires. These extensions provide additional time and flexibility for affected individuals and businesses to meet their tax obligations.”
On April 22, Governor Kemp declared a State of Emergency covering 91 counties due to exceptional drought conditions posing a threat across southern Georgia. However, these new deadline extensions only apply specifically to taxpayers in Clinch, Echols, and Brantley Counties.
For sales and use taxes normally due May 20, returns are now due June 22; monthly excise tax returns also qualify for this extension. For income taxes with existing valid extensions until October 15, filers now have until February 12 of next year—though payments originally due April 15 remain ineligible for relief under this measure.
Other extended deadlines include quarterly estimated income tax payments (now due October), payroll returns (due late October), partnership/S corporation filings (February), corporate filings (March), and nonprofit organizations’ filings (March). The relief does not cover W-2 or 1099 series information returns or certain other scheduled payments.
The relief applies both to residents of disaster areas as well as taxpayers whose records are located there or who were injured while visiting during the disaster period. Relief workers affiliated with recognized organizations also qualify.
According to the official website, the Georgia State Executive leads state government operations from Atlanta’s Governor’s Mansion—a Greek Revival-style residence built in northeast Atlanta—and oversees activities throughout all counties within Georgia.
