If you were a victim of Hurricane Harvey, you may qualify for tax relief from the International Revenue Service (IRS).
Who is Eligible?
- Affected taxpayers who reside or have a business in the disaster area as listed in Treas. Reg. § 301.7508A-1(d)(1).
- Taxpayers not in the covered disaster area, but whose records necessary to meet a deadline listed in Treas. Reg. § 301.7508A-1(c) are in the covered disaster area, are also entitled to relief.
- Relief workers affiliated with a recognized government or philanthropic organization assisting in the relief activities in the covered disaster area
- Individual(s) visiting the covered disaster area who were killed or injured because of the disaster are entitled to relief.
What is Eligible for Extension?
Some deadlines between the time of August 23rd, 2017 and January 31st, 2018 are eligible for extensions. Taxpayers may be granted additional time to file through January 31st, 2018.
Including:
- Taxpayers who had a valid extension to file their 2016 return that was due to run out on Oct. 16, 2017.
- The quarterly estimated income tax payments originally due on Sept. 15, 2017 and Jan. 16, 2018.
- The quarterly payroll and excise tax returns normally due on Oct. 31, 2017.
- Penalties on payroll and excise tax deposits due on or after Aug. 23, 2017, and before Sept. 7, 2017, may be abated as long as the deposits were made by Sept. 7, 2017.
How do I get Relief?
- The IRS automatically identifies taxpayers located in the covered disaster area and applies automatic filing and payment relief.
- Affected taxpayers who reside or have a business located outside the covered disaster area must call the IRS disaster hotline at 866-562-5227 to request this tax relief.
What if I receive a penalty or fee for filing late?
- If an affected taxpayer receives a late filing or late payment penalty notice from the IRS that has an original or extended filing, payment or deposit due date that falls within the postponement period, the taxpayer should call the telephone number on the notice to have the IRS abate the penalty.
Other Relief
- The IRS will waive the usual fees and expedite requests for copies of previously filed tax returns for affected taxpayers. Taxpayers should put the assigned Disaster Designation “Texas, Hurricane Harvey.” in red ink at the top of Form 4506, Request for Copy of Tax Return, or Form 4506-T, Request for Transcript of Tax Return, as appropriate, and submit it to the IRS.
- Affected taxpayers who are contacted by the IRS on a collection or examination matter should explain how the disaster impacts them so that the IRS can provide appropriate consideration to their case.
For More Information
- Taxpayers may download forms and publications from the official IRS website, irs.gov, or order them by calling 800-829-3676. The IRS toll-free number for general tax questions is 800-829-1040.
See the original news release from the IRS here.
For more information from the IRS about Hurricane Harvey Relief click here.