The IRS has announced that victims of Tropical Storm Debby that began on June 23, 2012, may qualify for relief from certain deadlines. Certain deadlines falling on or after June 23 and before August 22 have been postponed until Aug. 22, 2012.

President Obama has declared the following counties in Florida as a federal disaster area: Baker, Bradford, Clay, Columbia, Franklin, Hernando, Highlands, Pasco, Pinellas, Suwannee and Wakulla. Individuals who reside or have a business in this area may qualify for tax relief.

The IRS automatically identifies taxpayers in the covered disaster area and applies automatic filing and payment relief. However, 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 the relief.

If an affected taxpayer receives a penalty notice from the IRS, the taxpayer should call the telephone number on the notice to have the IRS abate any interest and any late-filing or late-payment penalties that would otherwise apply. Penalties or interest will be abated only for taxpayers who have an original or extended filing, payment or deposit due date, including an extended filing or payment due date, that falls within the postponement period.