Galveston County residents and businesses have until Feb. 1, 2027, to file certain federal tax returns and make certain tax payments.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) approved the disaster-related relief on Tuesday, Oct. 27, covering 62 Texas counties hit by severe storms and flooding that began July 14. Galveston County is among them, meaning League City taxpayers qualify automatically.

Gov. Greg Abbott announced the approval on Wednesday, Oct. 28. Abbott had sent a letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Oct. 15 requesting the relief, according to the governor's office.

What the extension covers

The IRS announcement postpones federal tax deadlines that fall on or after July 14, 2026, and before Feb. 1, 2027. Several types of filings qualify:

  • 2025 individual income tax returns: Taxpayers who had a valid extension to file now have until Feb. 1, 2027.
  • Estimated income tax payments: Quarterly payments originally due during the relief period are postponed.
  • Business tax returns: Corporate, partnership and other business returns with deadlines during the covered period get additional time.
  • Payroll and excise tax returns: Quarterly filings normally due July 31 and Nov. 2, 2026, are also covered.

One key exception

Tax payments on 2025 individual returns that were due April 15, 2026, are not eligible for this relief, the IRS said. That deadline fell before the July storms. Taxpayers who received a filing extension still owe any balance due from April 15, even though the filing deadline itself moved to Feb. 1, 2027.

The extension also does not cover every federal tax form or deposit. Information returns in the W-2, 1099 and related series are excluded, according to the IRS.

No application needed

The IRS said it automatically identifies taxpayers with addresses in the covered disaster area and applies the relief. Residents do not have to prove storm damage to qualify.

People who live outside the 62 counties but keep tax records in the disaster area may also qualify. They should call the IRS Special Services line at 866-562-5227 to request relief, the agency said.

Penalty notices and payment plans

Taxpayers who receive a late-filing or late-payment penalty notice for a deadline that falls within the relief period should call the number on the notice. The IRS said it can review the account and remove the penalty.

For taxpayers on IRS installment agreements, missed payments during the postponement period will not cause the agreement to default. Interest and late-payment penalties will continue to accrue, though, and automatic bank withdrawals will continue unless the taxpayer contacts the IRS or their bank to suspend them.

Other relief

The IRS will waive fees for copies of previously filed tax returns for affected taxpayers. Qualified disaster relief payments from a government agency for personal, family or living expenses are generally excluded from gross income, the IRS said.

Abbott issued a state disaster proclamation covering the 62 counties on July 14, according to the governor's office. A Major Disaster Declaration was approved Sept. 1, 2026, for 23 of those counties.

Taxpayers who receive a penalty notice covered by the extension can call the number listed on the notice to have it removed.