Governor Ferguson of Washington requested federal tax relief for residents and businesses affected by recent wildfires, asking U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to postpone federal tax filing and payment deadlines by one year.
The request would apply to impacted individuals and businesses in seven counties—Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Okanogan, Spokane, Stevens, and Yakima—and three tribal nations: the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, and the Spokane Tribe of Indians. The postponement would provide relief to those whose ability to meet tax obligations was disrupted by evacuations, property damage, business interruption, displacement, or loss of records.
Governor Ferguson had already provided state-level tax relief for wildfire-affected businesses through an August 10 emergency proclamation. The governor also activated 110 members of the Washington National Guard to support firefighting operations, supplementing 27 helicopter crew members activated in July.
The Trump Administration granted Governor Ferguson's request for a federal Emergency Declaration on August 4, two days after it was requested. The declaration unlocks federal assistance for local governments with evacuation and shelter costs, emergency food and water, and search and rescue operations. A federal Public Health Emergency declaration, approved August 7, increases access to health care and critical services.
On August 10, Governor Ferguson signed an emergency proclamation including $1.5 million in state individual assistance for those who lost homes, $1 million in disaster cash assistance, expanded access to emergency assistance programs, protections against eviction for those displaced, and suspension of the one-week unemployment waiting period.
Washington is preparing a Major Disaster Declaration request, which is expected to be due in mid-September.