Harris County residents and businesses have until Feb. 1, 2027, to file certain federal tax returns and make payments. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) approved the disaster relief after severe storms that began July 14.

Gov. Greg Abbott announced Wednesday, Oct. 28, that the IRS granted his request for the relief, which covers 62 Texas counties. The IRS announcement, dated Oct. 27, postpones deadlines that fall between July 14, 2026, and Jan. 31, 2027.

Spring-area taxpayers do not need to do anything to receive the extension. The IRS automatically identifies taxpayers with addresses in covered counties and applies the relief, according to the agency's announcement.

No proof of storm damage is required.

Abbott had requested the relief in an Oct. 15 letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, following a state disaster proclamation he issued July 14 covering 62 counties.

What's covered

The Feb. 1, 2027, deadline applies to several categories of federal tax obligations, according to the IRS:

  • 2025 individual income tax returns: Taxpayers who had a valid extension to file their 2025 returns have until Feb. 1, 2027, to submit them.
  • Estimated income tax payments: Quarterly estimated payments originally due on or after July 14 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 Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, are also covered.

What's not covered

There is one major exception. Tax payments originally due April 15, 2026, are not included in the relief, according to the IRS, because that deadline fell before the July storms. Taxpayers who got a filing extension on their 2025 returns have more time to file but not more time to pay what they owed in April.

The extension also does not apply to certain information returns in the W-2, 1094, 1095, 1097, 1098 or 1099 series, or to employment and excise tax deposits, according to the IRS announcement.

Penalty notices and payment plans

Taxpayers who receive a penalty notice for a deadline covered by the extension should call the number on the notice. The IRS said it can review the account and remove applicable penalties.

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

Who else qualifies

People who live outside the 62 designated counties may still qualify if their tax records are located in the disaster area, according to the IRS. Relief workers affiliated with a recognized government or philanthropic organization assisting in the disaster area also qualify. Taxpayers in either situation should call the IRS Special Services hotline at 866-562-5227.