Michigan Offers Tax Extension Relief to 33 Counties Hit by Severe Weather

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Treasury announced this week that individuals and businesses in 33 counties affected by recent severe weather are eligible for state tax extension relief. The announcement, made Wednesday by State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks, follows a series of state of emergency declarations by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in response to widespread flooding, tornadoes, and high winds. The relief provides an extension for filing and payment deadlines for state taxes that were due on or before April 30, 2026. For affected taxpayers who are granted the extension, penalties and interest will be waived. This measure is intended to provide breathing room for those dealing with the aftermath of the storms. “Recent weather systems have affected large portions of the state,” said State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks in a statement. “Our goal is to provide extra time to file tax returns or make payments so individuals and businesses can focus on immediate response and recovery efforts.” The relief applies to several key state tax obligations. This includes the annual return filing and payment deadline for individual income tax and corporate income tax. It also covers the filing and payment deadline for monthly or quarterly sales and use tax returns, a critical consideration for small and mid-sized businesses that collect and remit these taxes. The state’s action was prompted by two emergency declarations. On April 10, Gov. Whitmer declared a state of emergency for Cheboygan County due to rising water levels at the Cheboygan Lock and Dam Complex. This was followed by an expanded declaration on April 15 covering an additional 32 counties facing damage from flooding, straight-line winds, and tornadoes. The 33 counties covered by the tax relief announcement are: Alcona, Allegan, Alpena, Antrim, Arenac, Barry, Benzie, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Clare, Crawford, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Gratiot, Iosco, Kalkaska, Lake, Leelanau, Manistee, Menominee, Missaukee, Montcalm, Montmorency, Newaygo, Oceana, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Osceola, Presque Isle, Roscommon, Saginaw, Shiawassee, and Wexford. State officials have stressed that this tax relief is not automatic. Affected individuals and business owners must proactively contact the Michigan Department of Treasury to request the extension. The process requires taxpayers to provide their name and account number, an address within one of the designated disaster-area counties, and a description of how the severe weather has impacted their ability to meet their tax obligations. For businesses, this could mean detailing physical damage to their premises, loss of records, disruption to operations, or significant cash flow interruptions caused by the disaster. The state has provided multiple channels for taxpayers to submit their requests. Requests can be made online through the Treasury's e-services portal at michigan.gov/Taxes. Alternatively, taxpayers can mail their request to: Michigan Department of Treasury, Attn: Disaster Tax Relief, Lansing, MI 48922. The Treasury has also established dedicated phone lines for assistance, with individual income tax questions directed to 517-636-4486 and business tax inquiries to 517-636-6925. In addition to the state-level relief, Michigan officials are encouraging residents to contact the Internal Revenue Service regarding potential federal tax extension options that may become available for presidentially declared disaster areas. In our experience, while deadline extensions provide essential short-term relief, they can create a false sense of security for business owners. The underlying tax liability does not disappear, and the administrative burden of applying for relief comes at a time when owners are already overwhelmed with operational recovery. The requirement to document the disaster's impact adds another task to a long list. It is critical for businesses to not only file for the extension but to use the extra time to accurately assess the full financial damage, reconstruct records, and create a realistic plan for making the eventual payments. This is a complex process that goes beyond a simple form submission. For businesses navigating these challenges, professional guidance in tax preparation and compliance is invaluable. The team at C&S Finance Group LLC helps clients manage these exact situations, ensuring all necessary steps are taken correctly and strategically. You can learn more at csfinancegroup.com. With the April 30 deadline fast approaching, affected taxpayers in the 33 designated counties should move quickly to evaluate their situation and submit a request if needed. Business owners and residents should also continue to monitor announcements from the IRS, as federal disaster relief often follows state-level emergency declarations, potentially offering further extensions on federal tax obligations.