IRS Warns of Impending Tax Relief Deadline Related to Boston Marathon Bombing

The Internal Revenue Service reminded Boston area taxpayers Thursday and others affected by the April 15 Boston Marathon explosions that their individual income tax returns and tax payments are due Monday, July 15.

This relief applies to all individual taxpayers who live in Suffolk County, Mass., including the city of Boston (see IRS Gives Boston Taxpayers 3-Month Extension and IRS Formalizes 3-Month Boston Extension). It also includes victims, their families, first responders, others impacted by this tragedy who live outside Suffolk County and taxpayers whose tax preparers were adversely affected.

The relief gives eligible taxpayers until July 15, 2013, to file their 2012 returns and pay any taxes normally due April 15. No filing and payment penalties will be due as long as returns are filed and payments are made by July 15, the IRS noted. By law, interest, currently at the annual rate of 3 percent compounded daily, will still apply to any payments made after the April deadline.

The IRS automatically provided this extension to anyone living in Suffolk County. Eligible taxpayers living outside Suffolk County must have claimed this relief by calling (866) 562-5227 before filing a return or making a payment. Eligible taxpayers who receive penalty notices from the IRS can also call this number to have these penalties abated.

Eligible taxpayers who need more time to file their returns may receive an additional extension to Oct. 15, 2013, by filing Form 4868 by Monday, July 15.

Taxpayers with questions unrelated to the Boston tragedy should visit IRS.gov, or contact the regular IRS toll-free number at (800) 829-1040.

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