IRS Extends Tax Relief to Those Affected by Terror Attacks in Israel

Israeli Iron Dome air defense system fires to intercept rockets that were launched from Lebanon, in northern Israel on Sept. 24, 2024. AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has extended tax relief for individuals and businesses affected by the terror attacks in Israel throughout 2023 and 2024.

In a notice issued Tuesday, the IRS said affected taxpayers will have until the end of next September to file various federal returns, make tax payments, and perform other time-sensitive tax-related actions.

“Any taxpayer acts that are due to be performed on or after Sept. 30, 2024, and before Sept. 30, 2025, are postponed until Sept. 30, 2025,” the agency said.

The extension builds on earlier relief that followed the Oct. 7, 2023, attack, during which Hamas-led terrorists fired thousands of rockets into Israel and breached the Gaza-Israel border, unleashing a spree of killing and kidnapping of Israeli civilians.

Similar to the previous effort, this new round of relief applies to the following taxpayers:

• Individuals or businesses primarily located in Israel, the West Bank, or Gaza
• Individuals or businesses whose tax preparer or essential financial records are in those affected areas
• Relief workers helping in those affected areas
• Spouses of affected taxpayer filing joint returns
• Victims of the terrorist attacks, whether injured, killed, or taken hostage

The IRS said it is proactively identifying taxpayers eligible for the relief based on their previous filings. Still, those who believe they qualify but have not been identified may call the agency’s disaster hotline at 866-562-5227.

Under the IRS code, the Secretary of the Treasury can offer up to a year of relief for a taxpayer affected by “a terroristic action,” defined as any terrorist activity with strong evidence suggesting it was aimed at the United States or its allies.

On Oct. 1, at least six people were killed and nine were wounded in a terror attack in Israel’s Tel Aviv.

According to the Israeli police, the two suspects started to shoot and stab passengers on the city’s light rail system, continuing on foot before being killed by armed civilians and inspectors.

While no one has yet to claim responsibility for the attack, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich alleged the attackers were Palestinians from Hebron, in the West Bank.

The attack took place minutes before Iran launched a barrage of missiles at central Israel, sending much of the country’s population into bomb shelters and safe rooms.

The IRS has also offered relief to many in the United States who are facing difficulties after a natural disaster.

People affected by Hurricane Helene in seven Southeastern states, for instance, are given until May 1, 2025, to meet their tax filing or payment obligations.