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IRS Grants Tax Extension in 9 States Due to Disasters: What You Need to Know

Indira Zaldivar
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IRS Grants Tax Extension in 9 States Due to Disasters: What You Need to Know

While most Americans are racing to file their taxes before the April 15 deadline, residents across nine states are getting a bit more breathing room thanks to the Internal Revenue Service.

Why the Extension?

Every year, April 15 is the cut-off for filing individual federal income tax returns. The IRS, which opened tax season on January 27, anticipated over 140 million filings this year. But by late March, they’d received nearly a million fewer returns compared to last year—possibly due to economic uncertainty or taxpayer confusion.

Ordinarily, if someone can’t file by April 15, they can request an extension to submit their return by October 15. However, any taxes owed are still due in April to avoid penalties.

But for millions of Americans living in federally declared disaster zones, the IRS has automatically extended the filing and payment deadline to May 1—no paperwork required. In some areas, the extension goes even further.

Who Qualifies for the Tax Extension?

The IRS has confirmed that taxpayers in the following areas qualify for the May 1 deadline:

  • Entire states:
    • Alabama
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • North Carolina
    • South Carolina
  • Selected localities:
    • Alaska – City and Borough of Juneau
    • New Mexico – Chaves County
    • Tennessee – Carter, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Jefferson, Johnson, Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi, and Washington counties
    • Virginia – Numerous counties and cities including Albemarle, Roanoke, Montgomery, Danville, and others

Additional extensions include:

  • Los Angeles County, California – Deadline moved to October 15 due to severe wildfires in January
  • Kentucky (entire state) and parts of West Virginia – Residents now have until November 3 to file

Disasters Behind the Delay

The IRS tax relief is a response to significant natural disasters that affected these areas:

  • Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 storm, caused widespread destruction across several southeastern states in September 2024
  • Flooding in Juneau, Alaska in August and severe storms in New Mexico in October disrupted daily life and local infrastructure
  • Parts of Tennessee and Virginia were also hit hard by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, further justifying the tax reprieve

What Happens if You Miss Your Deadline?

Failing to file by the appropriate deadline—even with an extension—can be costly. The IRS imposes a 5% penalty per month on unpaid taxes, up to a maximum of 25%. So while disaster-affected areas have some relief, everyone is encouraged to file or pay as soon as they’re able.

For those in unaffected areas, April 15 remains the deadline. If you think you may need extra time and aren’t in a declared disaster zone, you’ll need to request an extension the traditional way—and still pay your estimated taxes by Tuesday to avoid penalties.

Keep up with more financial tips with us on Que Onda Magazine.

The Legacy of Healthcare Continues at Newly Renovated Harris Health Casa de Amigos Health Center in Near Northside

Que Onda Editorial
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The Legacy of Healthcare Continues at Newly Renovated Harris Health Casa de Amigos Health Center in Near Northside

Harris Health recently completed a major renovation and construction project of its Harris Health Casa de Amigos Health Center to modernize the facility located in Houston’s historic Near Northside. The $19 million multi-year project involved the renovation and addition of new space.

“This renovation signals to the community that we’re keeping up,” says Kelsie Reed, MSN, senior operations manager, Casa de Amigos Health Center. “Sometimes there’s a perception that a safety-net healthcare provider doesn’t provide the same quality care as other systems. The new Casa de Amigos dispels that myth.”

The center offers expanded services, greater access to high quality care and beautification of the facility in a rapidly changing part of the city. Through its bright, open and airy remodel, Casa de Amigos has 29,000 square feet of space, including 3,000 square feet of new construction.

“We’re almost like a brand-new facility at this point,” says Hammad Mahmood, MD, MBA, medical director, Casa de Amigos, Harris Health. “We offer family medicine and pediatrics. Altogether, we have eight primary care providers who are internists and family medicine specialists, and two pediatricians on staff.” 

Originally built in 1982, the newly expanded facility now houses obstetric and gynecological care, as well as midwifery services, rheumatology, optometry, psychiatry, behavioral health, podiatry, clinical pharmacy and nutrition under one roof. Additionally, the remodel expanded radiology capabilities by adding state-of-the-art digital equipment—considered the best on the market. 

“With this expansive renovation, the community knows we’re here to stay,” Mahmood adds. 

For Jennifer Small, AuD, CEO, Ambulatory Care Services, Harris Health, a key aspect of the renovation is its lasting positive impact on healthcare accessibility. 

“Harris Health and the medical school partnership is something that fosters excellence and derives a lot of quality improvement, performance enhancement, meaningful change and advocacy for our patients,” she says. “Our partnership with Baylor College of Medicine and UTHealth is invaluable. We can’t do this alone.”

To learn more about Harris Health and the services it provides, visit harrishealth.org

UHD Invites Community to Inaugural Latinx Identity Symposium

Indira Zaldivar
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UHD Invites Community to Inaugural Latinx Identity Symposium

By Indira Zaldivar & Edward Saenz

The University of Houston-Downtown’s Center for Latino Studies is hosting its first-ever Latinx Identity Symposium this Saturday, inviting the community to engage in discussions about Latino identity in fields such as history, education, and media.

The event will bring together student researchers, guest speakers from across Texas, and Hispanic-led media, including Que Onda Magazine. Co-organizer Dr. Anthony Ramirez, assistant director at UHD’s Center for Latino Studies, shared insight into the symposium’s purpose and what attendees can expect.

A Gathering of Houston’s Latinx Community

Dr. Ramirez described the symposium as “a one-day conference” that aims to unite all University of Houston system campuses, including UH Main, UH Central, and UH Clear Lake, along with various community partners.

“We wanted to be able to bring all these guests in one space together,” Ramirez said. “We were trying to think, how can we do that in a cool way that our community can enjoy?”

Although this is the symposium’s inaugural year, it has been nearly a year in the making.

“Even though this is small for us, this is still a very large test,” Ramirez explained. “We’ve been working on it for almost a year.”

Creating Conversations and Connections

A key goal of the symposium is fostering dialogue about Latinx identity and representation.

“I hope that people can take away a greater sense of pride within their own identity,” Ramirez said. He emphasized that the event will also highlight resources available to Houston’s Latinx community.

Beyond discussions, the symposium presents an opportunity for students to network with professionals in their fields. “Who knows—for students, this could be a networking opportunity,” Ramirez added. “They can meet somebody that they’re like, ‘Oh, I want to work with them down the line or collaborate or see if I can intern for them.’”

Looking to the Future

Ramirez and his team hope to establish the symposium as an annual tradition. “This is just kind of a small little thing that we’re doing that hopefully can become an annual symposium,” he shared. “Not just here at UHD, but at these different campuses that we’re collaborating with as well.”

The Latinx Identity Symposium is free and open to the public, with breakfast and lunch provided. To learn more, follow @UHDLatinoStudies on Instagram or visit the UHD Center for Latino Studies Facebook page and website.

Keep up with more community events with us on Que Onda Magazine.

Judge Orders U.S. to Return Wrongfully Deported Maryland Man

Edward Saenz
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Judge Orders U.S. to Return Wrongfully Deported Maryland Man

Federal Hearing Set After Supreme Court Ruling

A federal judge has scheduled a hearing for Friday after the Supreme Court ordered the Trump administration to “facilitate” the return of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man deported to El Salvador by mistake last month.

U.S. District Court Judge Paula Xinis, in an order filed late Thursday, directed officials to take all available steps to bring Abrego Garcia back to the U.S. “as soon as possible.” The administration must also submit a declaration confirming his current location and detailing the steps being taken to secure his immediate return.

Facade of the United States Supreme Court in Washington D.C.
STOCK PHOTO/Adobe Stock

Supreme Court Upholds Lower-Court Order

Earlier Thursday, the Supreme Court upheld Judge Xinis’ previous ruling, reinforcing that the government must work to correct its error.

“The order properly requires the Government to ‘facilitate’ Garcia’s release from custody in El Salvador and to ensure that his case is handled as it would have been had he not been improperly sent to El Salvador,” the high court stated.

Despite having legal protections against deportation due to fleeing political violence in 2011, Abrego Garcia was mistakenly sent to El Salvador, where he was detained in the notorious CECOT mega-prison.

Government Pushes Back on Court Intervention

The Trump administration claims Abrego Garcia is a member of the MS-13 gang—an accusation his attorneys and wife deny. Officials argue that because he is no longer in U.S. custody, courts cannot compel his return.

The Supreme Court, while upholding the lower court’s order, acknowledged the government’s role in foreign affairs and instructed Judge Xinis to clarify her ruling with respect to executive authority.

Legal Battle Over Deportation Mistake

The Justice Department defended the administration’s position, stating, “It is the exclusive prerogative of the President to conduct foreign affairs.” A department spokesperson criticized judicial intervention, calling it an overreach into executive authority.

Meanwhile, Abrego Garcia’s attorney, Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision. “The rule of law prevailed,” he told ABC News. “Now they need to stop wasting time and get moving.”

With the federal hearing set for Friday, pressure mounts on the administration to correct its deportation mistake swiftly.

Keep up with this development on Abrego Garcia with us on Que Onda Magazine.

NYC Helicopter Crash: Family was celebrating wife’s 40th birthday

Indira Zaldivar
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NYC Helicopter Crash: Family was celebrating wife’s 40th birthday

Victims Identified

Siemens executive Agustin Escobar, his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three children—ages 4, 8, and 10—were among the victims of the crash, while they were celebrating the wife’s 40th birthday, just a day before the 8-year-old’s birthday, according to NYC Mayor Eric Adams. The 36-year-old pilot, whose identity has not been publicly released, also perished.

Tragic Incident Over the Hudson

The Bell 206 helicopter, operated by New York Helicopter Tours, crashed into the Hudson River between Lower Manhattan and Hoboken, New Jersey, on Thursday afternoon—just over 15 minutes after taking off from the Wall Street Heliport.

“We are devastated,” a company representative told ABC News. “My staff hasn’t stopped crying.”

Crash Details and Investigation

The aircraft, on its sixth flight of the day, was found upside-down in the 50-degree water near the New Jersey side of the river. Video footage captured the helicopter plunging into the water without a tail rotor or main rotor blade.

New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch reported that four victims died at the scene, while two others succumbed to their injuries at the hospital. Jersey City Medical Center staff worked tirelessly to save the injured, according to Mayor Steven Fulop.

Witnesses Describe the Horror

Dani Horbiak, who saw the crash from her apartment, described hearing loud noises “like gunshots in the sky” before watching the helicopter fall. Another witness likened the sound to a “sonic boom,” adding that the helicopter split in two mid-air.

Calls for Safety Reforms

Mayor Fulop emphasized concerns about air traffic safety over the Hudson, hoping the tragedy sparks stricter regulations. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called the incident an “unimaginable tragedy,” while former President Donald Trump described the crash footage as “horrendous.”

Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash.

For more national news, keep up with Que Onda Magazine.

Houston med spa owner under arrest after police found fake fillers at her office

ABC13 Houston
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Houston med spa owner under arrest after police found fake fillers at her office

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A Houston med spa owner is under arrest after police found fake fillers at her Westchase office.

The doors at Lilac Touch Med Spa on South Gessner were locked on Thursday, a day after Aseel Al-Tameemi’s arrest for violating the Texas Medical Practice Act.

Court documents accuse her of practicing without a license and purchasing counterfeit medication, which a law enforcement source confirms included counterfeit Juvederm fillers.

Al-Tameemi wasn’t at her Cypress home Thursday, and her adult son didn’t seem to know much about his mother’s business.

“I’m not really sure to be honest with you,” he told Eyewitness News.

Posts on Lilac Touch Med Spa’s Facebook page offer liquid rhinoplasty and touts their $7-per-unit Botox injections.

“That’s crazy,” said board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Franklin Rose after reviewing the posts.

Rose said Botox is commonly priced at $14 to $15 per unit and that Al-Tameemi’s prices should have tipped off clients that something wasn’t right.

“You don’t know what they’re injecting. You don’t know what it is,” he said.

Rose suggests researching the medical staff before committing to a procedure and asking to inspect anything that’s being injected into them.

“Just ask: Who’s injecting me? Can I see what is being injected into me?” he said.

Al-Tameemi was released from jail on a $100 bond.

Police are asking anyone who’s visited her business to reach out.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

Keep up with all things Houston with us on Que Onda Magazine.

Weak front arrives Friday, more ozone pollution Saturday

ABC13 Houston
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Weak front arrives Friday, more ozone pollution Saturday

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A weak cool front arriving Friday will keep the sunny weather going through the weekend ahead, but we still might have to deal with ozone pollution problems for part of the weekend.

An abundance of sunshine will rapidly warm temperatures into the upper 80s. The humidity will be so low behind the front that the “feels like temp” might be below the actual air temperature.

An Ozone Pollution Watch is in effect as unhealthy levels of ozone could get develop in the afternoon hours and persist into the early evening. Ozone is a lung irritant that can trigger coughs and asthma attacks in sensitive individuals.

What can we expect for the weekend?

Friday’s front will keep the sunshine going through the weekend ahead! Saturday starts off in the mid 50s and warms into the mid 80s with low humidity and a gentle southeast wind. An Ozone Pollution Watch is also in effect for Saturday as unhealthy levels of ozone could develop in the afternoon hours and persist into the early evening. Ozone is a lung irritant that can trigger coughs and asthma attacks in sensitive individuals. The Gulf breeze kicks up another notch on Sunday to bring a milder morning and a warmer afternoon. There could also be another round of morning fog to start the day, but most of Sunday will be filled with sunshine.

Are anymore cool fronts on the way?

Another weak front is now scheduled to arrive on Tuesday. This front will bring us one morning in the 50s before the sticky Gulf air returns.

When does rain return to the forecast?

It won’t be until late next week that we have enough moisture back for some rain chances to return. We’ll be keeping a watchful eye on an upper-level Pacific storm that should approach the state of Texas around Easter weekend. At this time it looks like the low will track just north of the state, giving us warm, humid, and breezy weather with just a 20% chance for the holiday weekend.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

Keep up with all things Houston with us on Que Onda Magazine.

Gov. Greg Abbott sets Nov. 4 special election to fill U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner’s seat

Edward Saenz
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Gov. Greg Abbott sets Nov. 4 special election to fill U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner’s seat

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has scheduled a special election for Nov. 4 to fill the congressional seat left vacant by the death of U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner.

Turner passed away on March 5, just two months into his first term representing Texas’ 18th Congressional District. With the seat left unfilled for at least seven months, Democrats have criticized Abbott for delaying the vote, accusing him of trying to protect the slim Republican majority in the U.S. House.

Without Turner, Republicans hold a 220-213 advantage in the House, meaning they can afford up to three defections and still pass legislation. If a Democrat wins the seat, as expected in the solidly blue district, the margin narrows, leaving Republicans with less room for internal dissent.

Democrats, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Harris County officials, had urged Abbott to hold the election sooner, with some threatening legal action. Christian Menefee, acting Harris County attorney and a Democratic candidate for the seat, called the delay unacceptable, noting the district will go without representation during critical events like hurricane season and budget negotiations.

Abbott defended the decision, citing past election issues in Harris County and arguing that the county needs time to prepare. He said rushing the process could compromise election integrity. However, local officials, including Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth, disputed that claim, pointing to recent improvements under her leadership.

Turner was elected last year after the death of longtime Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee. Among the Democrats running to replace him are former City Council member Amanda Edwards, who narrowly lost the party nomination to Turner, and Isaiah Martin, a former staffer for Jackson Lee.

Critics noted that Abbott moved more swiftly to fill seats in past cases, such as after the deaths of U.S. Reps. Ron Wright and Jackson Lee, and following the resignation of Rep. Blake Farenthold. They argue the delayed timeline for this election reflects partisan decision-making, not logistical concerns.

New bill would require Texas oil, gas companies to plug idle wells after 15 years, aiming to curb long-term environmental, health risks

Edward Saenz
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New bill would require Texas oil, gas companies to plug idle wells after 15 years, aiming to curb long-term environmental, health risks

Texas has struggled to keep up with soaring numbers of inactive and orphaned wells for decades.

More than 150,000 oil and gas wells remain idle and unplugged across Texas, often outlasting their financially struggling owners who abandon them after dying, going bankrupt, or shutting down their companies. A bill proposed by Republican state Sen. Mayes Middleton—a Galveston oilman—aims to change that by requiring companies to seal inactive wells while they’re still in business. Currently, operators can leave these wells open indefinitely. Middleton’s legislation would mandate that wells be plugged after 15 years of inactivity, addressing a growing number of aging wells that pose increasing risks to public health and the environment.

Texas Senate to consider bill that could reshape how history and race are taught in universities

Edward Saenz
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Texas Senate to consider bill that could reshape how history and race are taught in universities

The Texas Senate May Vote Soon on Controversial University Bill

Texas lawmakers may vote this week on Senate Bill 37 (SB 37) — a bill that could heavily change how public universities teach about history, race, and inequality. Critics say it might limit academic freedom and create fear among professors about what they can teach.

What’s Changing in the Bill:

1. Control Over What’s Taught

  • The bill would require universities to review courses every 5 years to make sure they don’t:
    • Distort major historical events,
    • Claim one race is better or responsible for others’ actions,
    • Teach that racism or inequality is built into U.S. institutions.
  • Critics worry this could lead to censorship, like banning lessons about LGBTQ history or systemic racism.

2. Complaint System

  • Anyone could file a complaint if they believe a university is breaking the law.
  • An ombudsman (a new position) would investigate. If schools don’t fix issues within 30 days, the state could sue them or cut their funding.
  • Experts warn this could flood schools with unfair complaints and scare off top professors.

3. Faculty and Hiring Rules

  • The bill originally limited who could serve on faculty councils, but that’s changed.
  • Now, any member using their role for “political advocacy” can be removed.
  • Also, university presidents must personally hire key leaders (like deans), and the board of regents can still override them.

4. Focus on Job-Ready Degrees

  • The bill pushes universities to cut degree programs that don’t lead to clear job outcomes.
  • The state could stop funding programs that don’t show a good “return on investment.”
  • Some experts agree with the job focus but warn not to cut valuable programs like philosophy, which still lead to meaningful careers after grad school.

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