Governor Pritzker Announces Disaster Tax Relief for Storm-Impacted Counties

Karen Snodgrass

CPA | CK Principal

Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) are offering temporary tax relief for individuals and businesses affected by the severe storms that swept across parts of Illinois between May and August 2026. If your ability to file and pay taxes was disrupted, you may qualify for a waiver of penalties and interest.

Here’s what you need to know.

Who Qualifies

Relief applies to areas included in Governor Pritzker’s Disaster Proclamation for Summer 2026 Storms. Currently, that includes the following counties, along with the dates of severe weather tied to each:

Any additional counties added to the disaster proclamation will also qualify, so it’s worth checking back if your county isn’t on the list yet.

What Relief is Available

If severe weather prevented you from filing or paying on time, you can request a waiver of penalties and interest on:

• Income tax
• Withholding tax
• Sales tax
• Specialty and excise taxes

How to Request Relief

To request a waiver, submit a brief explanation of why the storms affected your ability to file or pay. Be sure to include:

• Full name
• Account number (last four digits if you’re using your SSN)
• Mailing address
• Estimated date you’ll be able to file or pay

You can send your requests in one of two ways:

Email: RE****************@******is.gov

Mail: Use the address listed on your return and write “Severe Storms – Summer 2026” in red ink at the top.

Already Been Billed for Penalties?

If IDOR has already assessed penalties against you, you still have options. Email RE****************@******is.gov with your name, business name, account number(s), and the affected filing periods, and they’ll work with you from there.

A Few Things to Keep in Mind

• Property damage: If your property was damaged, reach out to your county supervisor of assessments to ask about a reassessment.
• Motor Fuel Use Tax (IFTA): This relief does not extend to IFTA. If you have questions about IFTA specifically, email RE******@******is.gov instead.

For the most current details, visit the Illinois Department of Revenue here.

How Cray Kaiser Can Help

Storm recovery brings enough to think about without worrying whether your taxes were filed and paid on time. If you were impacted and aren’t sure whether you qualify or need help putting together your request, the team at CK is here to help you sort through it.