Department of Revenue extends tax deadlines for areas affected by Hurricane Laura

September 8, 2020

BATON ROUGE – Louisiana taxpayers affected by Hurricane Laura may be eligible for automatic tax filing and payment extensions if their homes, principal places of business, critical tax records or paid tax preparers are located in parishes that have been declared federal disaster areas.

"Hurricane Laura brought devastation to many families and businesses across our state, and taxes are the last thing on their minds" said Louisiana Department of Revenue Secretary Kimberly Lewis Robinson. "With these automatic tax extensions in place, those families and businesses can focus on the rebuilding process. When the time comes to file these extended tax returns, we encourage taxpayers who cannot pay all at once to enter into payment plans so their accounts remain in good standing with the Department of Revenue."

For individual income, corporate income and franchise, fiduciary income, partnership, and partnership composite tax returns and payments due between Aug. 24 and Nov. 2, 2020, the extended due date is Dec. 31, 2020. Withholding, sales, severance and excise tax returns and payments due between Aug. 24 and Nov. 2, 2020, are now due Nov. 30, 2020. Taxpayers who are eligible for these extensions may also request relief for audit and litigation matters.

If penalties or interest began accruing on the return or tax before Aug. 24, 2020, the taxpayer will not be eligible for this relief.

Tax returns and payments submitted by the extended deadlines will not be subject to interest or to late filing or payment penalties.

Declared disaster areas include Acadia, Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Grant, Jackson, Jefferson Davis, Lincoln, Natchitotches, Ouachita, Rapides, Sabine, Vermillion, Vernon and Winn parishes. If additional parishes are declared federal disaster areas, LDR will issue guidance to include those parishes in this relief.