COLUMBIA, S.C. - While today marks tax day for many people across the United States, South Carolinians have until May 1 to file.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced on October 1, 2024 that tax relief for individuals and businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene would go into effect on September 25, 2024. This means those in South Carolina have until May 1 to file or pay. Individuals in all 46 counties qualify for tax relief.

Affected taxpayers with returns and payments originally due on February 3, 2025 due to Hurricane Debby will also now have until May 1.

The May 1, 2025, filing deadline applies to:

• Individuals who had a valid extension to file their 2023 return due to run out on Oct. 15, 2024. The IRS noted, however, that because tax payments related to these 2023 returns were due on April 15, 2024, those payments are not eligible for this relief.

• Businesses with an original or extended due date including, among others, and calendar-year corporations whose 2023 extensions run out on Oct. 15, 2024.

If you are eligible for the tax relief but receive a late filing or late payment penalty notice from the IRS, you should call the number on the notice to have the IRS abate the penalty.

Affected taxpayers who live or have business outside the covered disaster area can call the IRS disaster hotline at 866-562-5227.