Tax Season Is Finished — What’s Next for Californians?
April 16, 2025
Tax season has concluded, but for many Californians, especially those affected by the recent wildfires, the journey isn’t over yet. Thanks to federal and state disaster relief, you now have until October 15, 2025, to file most tax returns and make payments that were originally due between January 7 and October 15, 2025.
Who Qualifies for the Extension?
This relief applies to individuals and businesses in areas designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) due to the wildfires that began on January 7, 2025. Currently, Los Angeles County is included, with other counties potentially added later.
What Does This Mean for You?
If you’re in the affected area, you now have until October 15, 2025, to:
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File individual income tax returns (normally due April 15, 2025)
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Make 2024 contributions to IRAs and health savings accounts
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Submit quarterly estimated tax payments due on January 15, April 15, June 16, and September 15, 2025
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File payroll and excise tax returns due on January 31, April 30, and July 31, 2025
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File business tax returns due on March 15 and April 15, 2025
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Submit tax-exempt organization returns due on May 15, 2025
Additionally, penalties for payroll and excise tax deposits due between January 7 and January 22, 2025, will be abated if the deposits are made by January 22, 2025.
What Should You Do Next?
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Review Your Tax Return: Ensure all information is accurate and complete.
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Plan for Estimated Tax Payments: If you owe taxes, consider making payments before the extended deadline to avoid interest.
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Adjust Withholding: If you owed more than expected this year, update your W-4 to adjust withholding for the next tax year.
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Organize Documentation: Keep records of any disaster-related losses for potential deductions.
What to Do Now
While it may feel like a good time to relax, now is actually the perfect time to plan ahead:
✅ Review your 2024 return for missed opportunities
✅ Adjust your W-4 if your refund or balance due was unexpected
✅ Organize documents in case of audits or amended returns
✅ Start planning for 2025 — charitable giving, retirement, real estate, and business strategies
Let’s Plan Your Year — Starting Now
Whether you’ve already filed or are taking advantage of the wildfire-related extension, we’re here to help you make sense of what’s next.
📞 Call us: 323-902-1000
📧 Email us: dmitriy@losangelescpa.org
🌐 Visit us online: www.losangelescpa.org
Your taxes don’t stop in April — and neither do we.
Let’s get ahead of next year, together.
Our firm provides the information in this e-newsletter for general guidance only, and does not constitute the provision of legal advice, tax advice, accounting services, investment advice, or professional consulting of any kind. The information provided herein should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional tax, accounting, legal, or other competent advisers. Before making any decision or taking any action, you should consult a professional adviser who has been provided with all pertinent facts relevant to your particular situation. Tax articles in this e-newsletter are not intended to be used, and cannot be used by any taxpayer, for the purpose of avoiding accuracy-related penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer. The information is provided "as is," with no assurance or guarantee of completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of the information, and without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of performance, merchantability, and fitness for a particular purpose.