Residents and business owners across 11 storm-battered Illinois counties are getting a bit of a tax timeout. Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Revenue have announced state tax relief for communities hit by severe weather between March 10 and June 21, 2026. If those storms kept people from filing or paying on time, eligible taxpayers can ask the state to waive penalties and interest on certain tax returns and payments.
How to apply for a waiver
To request abatement, taxpayers need to submit a short written explanation to the Illinois Department of Revenue that spells out why they could not file or pay on time. The request should include a full name, account number (or the last four digits of a Social Security number), mailing address and an estimate of when they expect to file or pay. Electronic requests can be emailed to [email protected]. Paper filers should mail their returns to the address printed on the form and write "Severe Storms - Summer 2026" across the top in red ink, with the explanation attached, according to NBC Chicago.
Counties covered and proclamation
The state disaster proclamation covers Coles, Cook, Effingham, Jefferson, Kankakee, LaSalle, McLean, Stephenson, Warren, Winnebago and Woodford counties, and it took effect June 30, 2026. "I have signed a disaster proclamation to provide state relief to support those impacted by severe weather and storms," Governor Pritzker said in a statement, according to a press release via the State of Illinois Newsroom.
What's covered and what's not
The relief applies to income, withholding, sales, specialty and excise taxes for both residents and businesses in the affected areas. One notable carve-out is the Motor Fuel Use Tax (IFTA), which is not included. Taxpayers who have already received bills that include penalties are advised to email [email protected] with their name, business name, account number or numbers and the specific periods for which they filed late to request that those penalties be waived, as reported by RiverBender.
Property reassessment and added counties
Property owners who suffered storm damage are encouraged to contact their county supervisor of assessments to seek a reassessment that reflects the impact of the storms. Any county that is added later to the state disaster proclamation will also become eligible for the same tax relief. State emergency officials say IEMA-OHS and local partners are still working through damage assessments and coordinating recovery resources as communities rebuild, according to the governor's office.
Practical tips and next steps
The IRS urges taxpayers seeking disaster-related tax relief to keep careful records, including photos, repair estimates, insurance correspondence and copies of any tax notices, since solid documentation can make or break a claim, according to the IRS. For IFTA and other storm-related state tax questions, the Illinois Department of Revenue directs taxpayers to contact [email protected] and to consult the department’s disaster-relief instructions.
