LINCOLN—Governor Jim Pillen has announced the approved postponement of tax filings and payments for individuals and businesses in parts of Nebraska that were impacted by wildfires and storms beginning on March 12, 2026.The issuance of tax relief by the IRS applies to five separate state disaster declarations. As a result, affected individuals and businesses now have until Feb. 1, 2027, to file returns and pay any taxes that were originally due during that time.
Gov. Pillen requested tax relief from the IRS under newly passed federal legislation that allows the IRS to grant tax relief based on a governor’s declared disaster or state emergency, rather than waiting for a federal disaster declaration, which can take longer for review and approval. Under the legislation, a qualified state-declared disaster is any natural catastrophe, fire, flood, or explosion that causes damage of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant a request to postpone such federal tax deadlines.This is the first time Nebraska has made and received tax relief from the IRS under the new law.
“When a disaster strikes, surviving the immediate aftermath takes priority. Undoubtedly, this year has weighed heavily on those who experienced losses and/or damage resulting from the fires and storms that happened just months ago,” said Gov. Pillen. “This determination from the IRS will hopefully provide a little respite to Nebraskans in those counties who were affected, by allowing them the time to meet their tax obligations without incurring additional penalties.”
