As of Oct. 2, the total estimated insured losses for Florida from the storm are $777,772,440 and 79,360 claims. Business resource centers have opened.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Businesses in Hurricane Helene-damaged counties have more time to make tax filings with the state and an opportunity to receive in-person recovery resources.

The Florida Department of Revenue issued an emergency order extending September and October filing deadlines until Nov. 22 as a result of the Category 4 storm that made landfall in the Big Bend area on Sept. 26. The order extends to sales and use taxes, documentary stamp taxes, insurance premium taxes, unemployment taxes and others. It applies to the 17 most impacted counties:  

Charlotte, Citrus, Dixie, Franklin, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Taylor, and Wakulla.

Businesses outside the 17 counties that suffered severe losses that affect the ability to file and pay taxes will be handled on a case-by-case basis, the Revenue Department said. Contact taxpayer services at (850) 488-6800 or by email at GTAHurricaneHelp@floridarevenue.com.

“This extension is intended to ensure fairness and consistency in tax administration for those affected by the storm,” the department said in a news release. “This means taxpayers in these counties with returns, reports, and payments due on or after September 23, 2024, and on or before November 22, 2024, are now due on November 22, 2024. Electronic returns and payments must be initiated on or before November 21, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. EST. Taxpayers in these counties will not receive notices for late filing or failure to file if they file by the extended due date but may receive correspondence related to any filing made during the extension period.”

One-Stop Business Resource sites open

In addition, FloridaCommerce, in partnership with CareerSource Florida and the Florida Small Business Development Center Network, opened One-Stop Business Resource Sites across the state. Business owners and employees can get in-person assistance with recovery resources.

Friday, October 4 – Sunday, October 6, 2024, from 10am – 3pm.

  • Lafayette County – CareerSource North Florida, 114 NW Community Circle, Mayo
  • Madison County – CareerSource North Florida, 705 E. Base Street, Madison
  • Taylor County – CareerSource North Florida + BBTC, 3233 S Byron Butler Pkwy, Perry

Saturday, October 5 – Sunday, October 6, 2024, from 10am – 3pm

  • Hillsborough County, USF Connect, 3802 Spectrum Blvd, Tampa
  • Hernando County, Weeki Wachee Area Club, 7442 Shoal Line Blvd, Spring Hill
  • Pinellas County, CareerSource Hillsborough Pinellas, 2312 Gulf to Bay Blvd, Clearwater
  • Monday, October 7 – Wednesday, October 9, 2024, from 10am – 3pm.
  • Citrus County – Citrus County Chamber of Commerce, 915 N Suncoast Blvd, Crystal River
  • Dixie County – CareerSource North Central Florida, 25811 SE Hwy 19, Old Town
  • Levy County – CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion, 109 NW 3rd Ave, Chiefland

Monday, October 7 – Tuesday, October 8, 2024, from 10am – 3pm.

  • Manatee County – CareerSource Suncoast, 3660 N Washington Blvd, Sarasota
  • Pasco County – CareerSource Pasco Hernando, 4440 Grand Blvd, New Port Richey

Insurance claims up

As of Oct. 2, the total estimated insured losses for Florida from the storm are $777,772,440, according to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. Of the 79,360 claims so far, 39,101 are for residential property damage. The previous day, there were 65,716 claims. The number of claims and estimated losses are expected to increase in the coming weeks. For now:

  • Claims under private flood insurance policies: 2,311 (most flood policies are through FEMA’s Flood Insurance Program, not private)
  • Claims closed with payments to policyholders: 4,303
  • Claims closed without payments to policyholders: 3,212
  • Commercial property claims: 1,259
  • Percent of claims closed: 9.5%

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Author: amyc