Pasadena Rep. Judy Chu’s Disaster Tax Relief Bill Signed Into Federal Law by President Trump

A tax relief bill first introduced by Pasadena-area Congresswoman Judy Chu in 2019 is now federal law, following President Donald Trump’s signing of the bipartisan Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Act on Thursday.

The legislation, H.R. 517, expands the authority of the United States Department of the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service to extend federal tax filing deadlines for residents in state-declared disaster zones—even before a federal disaster declaration is made. Under the new law, impacted taxpayers will receive at least 120 days of filing relief, doubling the previous minimum of 60 days.

“When catastrophe strikes during tax filing season, families and businesses should be able to focus on recovery without the risk of tax penalties,” said Chu, who represents California’s 28th Congressional District, which includes parts of Pasadena. “Our bill extends this support to more taxpayers by giving Treasury and the IRS the authority to act early when a governor declares an emergency.”

The measure’s co-sponsor, Congressman David Kustoff of Tennessee’s 8th Congressional District, emphasized its broad utility across disaster-prone regions. “When disaster strikes, the last thing families and businesses should have to worry about is missing a tax deadline or paying Uncle Sam,” Kustoff said.

Senator Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada and Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee also praised the legislation’s commonsense approach to easing tax burdens during emergencies. The bill aims to provide faster and more flexible relief to communities across the country—including California cities like Pasadena that frequently endure wildfires and other disasters.