Contact Congress about H.R. 517: Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Act

People and businesses hit by serious disasters could get more time for some federal tax filings and payments. The IRS could act after a state, territory, or D.C. disaster declaration if local leaders ask in writing and FEMA is consulted.

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Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Act is a House bill signed into law. The latest recorded action: Became Public Law No: 119-29.

Latest action on H.R. 517: Became Public Law No: 119-29.

Who this affects: This bill mainly affects people and businesses in places hit by serious disasters. It could give them more time to handle federal tax filings and payments while they recover. It also affects governors, the D.C. mayor, territorial leaders, the IRS, and FEMA because they would help start or manage the relief process.

Why this matters: Disasters can make tax deadlines hard to meet because people may lose power, records, homes, or business income. This bill would give more places a path to ask for IRS deadline relief, even when there is no federal disaster declaration. It could also give covered taxpayers at least four months of extra time for some deadlines. The real effect would depend on how often local leaders ask for relief and how the IRS uses this power after talking with FEMA.

Key provisions in H.R. 517

• The IRS could use existing disaster tax deadline rules after certain state-declared disasters. Relief would no longer depend only on a federal disaster declaration.
• A governor, or the mayor of Washington, D.C., would have to ask in writing before the IRS could grant this relief.
• The IRS would have to talk with FEMA, the federal disaster agency, before using these special deadline rules for a state-declared disaster.
• The bill covers many natural disasters, including hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, droughts, and snowstorms. It also covers any fire, flood, or explosion, no matter what caused it.
• Each governor, or the D.C. mayor, could decide whether the damage is serious enough to ask for these tax deadline rules.

How Modern Action helps you take action on H.R. 517

You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.

Questions people ask about H.R. 517

What is H.R. 517?

People and businesses hit by serious disasters could get more time for some federal tax filings and payments. The IRS could act after a state, territory, or D.C. disaster declaration if local leaders ask in writing and FEMA is consulted.

How do I support or oppose H.R. 517?

Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.

Who should I contact about H.R. 517?

Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.

Can Modern Action explain H.R. 517 before I act?

Yes. Modern Action gives you a plain-English summary, current status, and action context before you send anything.