Abbott seeks flood tax relief for Montgomery County, 61 others

Gov. Greg Abbott asked the U.S. Treasury Department on Thursday, Oct. 15, to suspend federal tax deadlines and waive penalties for taxpayers in 62 Texas counties hit by July storms and flooding.

The request, sent in a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, covers all counties under the state disaster proclamation Abbott issued July 14, including Montgomery County, first reported by Fox 26 Houston. That means Woodlands-area residents and businesses affected by the flooding could see relief if the Treasury approves.

Abbott's letter asks Bessent to temporarily suspend federal tax filing and payment deadlines and to waive related penalties, interest and late fees for individuals and businesses in those counties.

The request goes beyond the 23 counties already approved for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance. FEMA approved a major disaster declaration Sept. 1, but the approved counties did not include Montgomery County, according to KRIS-TV. Abbott's letter specifically asks the Treasury secretary to extend relief to counties covered by the state proclamation but not included in the federal disaster declaration.

Montgomery County was not among them.

A separate request from Abbott for FEMA's Individual Assistance program covering 30 affected counties also remains pending, according to KRIS-TV. The state disaster declaration was amended after July 14 to include additional counties beyond the original proclamation.

"Texans who took damage from the July storms and floods need this relief," Abbott said. "I urge Secretary Bessent to suspend the tax deadlines and waive all late fees and penalties so families and businesses can rebuild."

The severe storms began July 13 and brought heavy rainfall and flash flooding that caused widespread property damage, injuries and loss of life, according to the governor's disaster proclamation. By July 17, the state had deployed more than 2,700 personnel and rescued more than 270 people, according to the governor's office.

The U.S. Treasury Department has not announced whether it will approve the request. If granted, the relief would let affected taxpayers in all 62 counties delay filing and payment without facing penalties or interest charges.