(TEXAS) — Monday, February 2, 2026, is the postponed federal tax deadline for certain taxpayers covered by IRS Disaster Tax Relief, including many individuals and businesses with returns or payments originally due during the IRS-designated disaster period.
This matters for immigrants, visa holders, and “NRI” families with U.S. ties because a postponed deadline can cover more than the Form 1040 you file. It may also cover Estimated tax payments, certain business filings, and even some time-sensitive elections.
Still, one point surprises people every year: interest often keeps running on unpaid balances, even when the IRS postpones deadlines.
Information in this article is current as of February 2, 2026. IRS relief depends on the specific disaster announcement and the counties listed. IRS announcements are posted in the IRS newsroom.
📅 Deadline Alert: If you are in a covered disaster area, filing and certain payment deadlines due during the relief window are generally postponed to February 2, 2026. Missing the postponed deadline can restart late-filing and late-payment penalties.
Deadline summary (typical federal rules)
The IRS disaster notice controls, but these are the dates many filers compare when planning.
| Tax event | Normal due date (typical year) | Disaster-relief treatment (if your IRS notice applies) | Extension available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual income tax return (Form 1040 / 1040-NR) | April 15 | Often postponed to the disaster deadline for due dates in the relief window | Yes, Form 4868 (but payment rules still apply) |
| Estimated tax installments | Quarterly due dates | Often postponed if the installment due date falls in the relief window | No separate “extension,” but postponement may waive underpayment penalties |
| Payroll/excise returns (Forms 941, 720, etc.) | Quarterly/monthly schedules | Returns due in the relief window are often postponed | Deposit penalty relief may require deposits by a cutoff date |
| FBAR (FinCEN 114) | April 15 (auto to Oct. 15) | Not always part of IRS disaster relief. Confirm separately | Automatic to Oct. 15 |
1) What gets extended (and how it works)
IRS disaster tax relief is generally authorized by Internal Revenue Code § 7508A. It allows the IRS to postpone certain tax deadlines for taxpayers affected by a federally declared disaster.
The IRS typically announces relief through a news release. The release lists covered locations and the postponed due date.
Who usually qualifies
- Taxpayers with an IRS address in the covered disaster area.
- Businesses with operations in the covered area.
- Taxpayers whose records are located in the area, even if they live elsewhere.
- Relief workers or others meeting special criteria in the IRS announcement.
If you are affected but your address is outside the area, you may need to contact the IRS. The IRS disaster page linked in the announcement usually provides phone guidance.
Filings commonly postponed
- Individual returns, including Form 1040 and often Form 1040-NR for nonresidents.
- Business returns, depending on entity type and due date.
- Certain information returns that are time-sensitive when due during the covered period.
Estimated tax payments
IRS Disaster Tax Relief often postpones Estimated tax payments due during the disaster period. When paid by the postponed deadline, the IRS commonly waives the estimated tax underpayment penalty for those installments.
This is important for immigrants and NRIs with irregular income, such as:
- RSUs or bonuses after changing jobs.
- Large bank transfers from abroad that create taxable interest or gains.
- One-time capital gains from selling overseas assets that are taxable in the U.S. if you are a U.S. tax resident.
For background on U.S. residency rules, start with Publication 519.
IRA and HSA contribution deadlines
When disaster relief postpones an individual return due date, contribution deadlines tied to that return date often move too, such as IRA contributions. HSA contributions linked to the return due date may also move, when eligible under the rules described in the IRS announcement.
Payroll and excise filings
Quarterly payroll and excise returns due during the covered period are often postponed. In many IRS announcements, certain deposit penalties may be waived if deposits are made by a stated cutoff date.
Other “time-sensitive acts”
Treasury Regulation § 301.7508A-1(c)(1) and Revenue Procedure 2018-58 list actions that may be postponed. Examples can include like-kind exchange timing and other elections with hard deadlines.
How to claim or ensure relief
Many eligible taxpayers get relief automatically when they e-file. Paper filers may need to write the disaster designation on the return, if the IRS notice instructs it.
If you receive a penalty notice that should not apply, call the IRS and request abatement under the disaster relief announcement.
2) What does NOT get extended (common traps)
Disaster postponements can reduce penalty exposure, but they do not freeze everything.
Interest generally continues to accrue on unpaid tax balances until paid. That is true even if the filing deadline moved. The IRS explains payment and penalty rules across its forms and publications.
Also remember the difference between: Extra time to file, and Extra time to pay.
Disaster relief often postpones both certain filing and payment due dates, but not always. You must confirm what your IRS announcement covers.
⚠️ Warning: Employment tax deposit penalties are often waived only if deposits are made by a specific cutoff date. Miss that cutoff, and penalties can return even if the return deadline moved.
If you cannot pay in full, filing by the postponed deadline still matters. Late-filing penalties can be steep, and they add up fast.
Payment plans may reduce collection pressure, but interest will usually continue.
3) Recent legislative changes affecting disaster deadlines
Congress has made disaster relief more workable in two key ways.
Disaster Related Extension of Deadlines Act
This law updated disaster rules so the postponement window is considered in certain timing calculations. Two practical effects stand out:
- Refund claim timing: The law expands the refund “lookback” calculation by accounting for the disaster postponement period. This helps taxpayers seeking refunds through amended returns or formal claims after a disaster.
- Collections timing: It also aligns certain IRS collection notice timing with postponed payment deadlines. This can reduce confusing notices during recovery.
Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Act
This law increases the automatic extension window from 60 days to 120 days for certain disasters. Applicability depends on the disaster declaration and the law’s effective date.
If you are seeking a refund tied to a disaster period, keep proof of:
- Your address or records location in the covered area.
- Timely filing or payment under the postponed deadline.
- The IRS announcement covering your county and the relevant dates.
The takeaway for filers in disaster areas
IRS Disaster Tax Relief can give real breathing room for filing and some payments. It is especially helpful for immigrants and cross-border families gathering foreign income documents.
Still, interest can continue on unpaid balances, so paying sooner usually costs less.
Verify that your county and tax deadline are covered in the IRS announcement. Also check your state tax agency. State relief often differs from federal relief.
Action items for this week
- Confirm your coverage in the IRS disaster announcement on the IRS newsroom.
- File by the postponed deadline even if you cannot pay in full.
- Pay as much as you can as soon as possible to reduce interest.
- If your income is uneven, revisit Estimated tax payments for 2026 to limit penalties.
- If you got an IRS penalty notice and you qualify for relief, call and request abatement.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Tax situations vary based on individual circumstances. Consult a qualified tax professional or CPA for guidance specific to your situation.
