NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- The IRS is giving a break to tax filers impacted by Hurricane Irene.
People living in federal disaster areas declared in North Carolina, New Jersey, New York and Puerto Rico who previously received a tax filing extension until Oct.17 will now have until Oct. 31 to get their tax returns to Uncle Sam.
This year, the IRS granted more than 10 million extensions for taxpayers filing 2010 returns, according to the agency.
The agency said it is providing this extension in response to the damage to homes and businesses caused by the recent storm, and it expects to expand the relief to other areas as more damage assessments are made.
Businesses that previously obtained a filing extension to Sept. 15 are also covered by this relief, and have until Oct. 31 to file their returns.
Estimated tax payments for the third quarter of 2011 are also now due Oct. 31, instead of Sept. 15.
The extension applies to the following municipalities:
North Carolina: Beaufort, Carteret, Craven, Dare, Hyde, Pamlico and Tyrell
New Jersey: Bergen, Essex, Morris, Passaic and Somerset
New York: Albany, Delaware, Dutchess, Essex, Greene, Schenectady, Schoharie and Ulster.
Puerto Rico: Caguas, Canovanas, Carolina, Cayey, Loiza, Luquillo and San Juan.
In addition to the IRS, some banks are also stepping up to offer relief. Banks like Chase (JPM, Fortune 500) and Wells Fargo (WFC, Fortune 500) are temporarily waiving certain fees for customers impacted by the recent storm. 
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