WASHINGTON - Victims of severe flooding in Minnesota and North Dakota have an extra 30 days, until May 15, to file their 2008 individual tax returns and pay any taxes due, the Internal Revenue Service announced today.

Because the flooding has occurred within close proximity to April 15 �� the nation�s tax day and the most significant tax filing deadline of the year �� taxpayers and relief workers directly impacted by the flooding will have until midnight May 15 to file and make payments associated with their 2008 individual tax returns, otherwise due April 15, without incurring late filing or payment fees and interest.

This relief applies to flood victims in the following counties in Minnesota:

• Clay, Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Polk, Traverse and Wilkin

and the following counties and Indian Reservations in North Dakota:

• Adams, Barnes, Benson, Billings, Burleigh, Cass, Cavalier, Dickey, Dunn, Emmons, Foster, Grand Forks, Grant, Hettinger, Kidder, LaMoure, Logan, McIntosh, McKenzie, McLean, Mercer, Morton, Nelson, Oliver, Pembina, Ramsey, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Sioux, Stark, Stutsman, Walsh, and Williams counties and Standing Rock and Spirit Lake Indian reservations

Affected taxpayers can mark paper tax returns with the words �severe storms, flooding.� Taxpayers who e-file their returns can use their software�s �disaster� feature, if available.

Relief workers without an address of record in the areas listed above need to call the IRS at 1-866-562-5227 and identify themselves to the IRS before they file and or make payment.

The IRS will continue to monitor the situation and will take further actions as necessary.

For further information, see Tax Relief in Disaster Situations.