IRS Grants Tax Relief to
Power Blackout Victims

WASHINGTON - The Internal Revenue Service announced tax relief for those hit by the power blackout in the Northeastern United States. The IRS will consider as timely any tax returns or payments due from today through next Friday, Aug. 22, if they are completed by Aug. 22, 2003. However, the law does not allow the agency to abate interest on any overdue taxes during this period.

While the IRS cannot extend the time for making employment and excise tax deposits, it will waive penalties on such deposits due during this period for affected taxpayers due to reasonable cause if the deposits are made by Aug. 22, 2003.

“We recognize that individuals and businesses will need time to recover after the power is restored, which is why we are granting this additional time,” said IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson.

For the purposes of this tax relief, affected taxpayers include individuals and businesses located in the blackout area, and those whose tax records, including records needed for tax deposits, are located in the area of the power blackout.

To qualify for this relief, affected taxpayers should put “NORTHEAST BLACKOUT” in red ink at the top of the return relying on this relief. Individuals or businesses located in the blackout area – or taxpayers outside the area that were directly affected by the power blackout – should contact the IRS if they receive penalties for filing returns or paying taxes late.

The IRS will monitor this ongoing situation to determine if any additional relief is warranted.

The IRS toll-free number for general tax questions is 1-800-829-1040.

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