Relief in Wake of Oklahoma Tornadoes

Following the massive tornado in Moore and Oklahoma City, Okla., the IRS has provided tax relief to individuals and businesses affected by this and other severe storms occurring in parts of that state.

Affected taxpayers in Cleveland, Lincoln, McClain, Oklahoma and Pottawatomie Counties will receive special tax relief. (Other locations may be added in coming days based on additional damage assessments by FEMA.) The relief postpones various filing and payment deadlines that started on May 18. Affected individuals and businesses will have until September 30 to file these returns and pay any taxes due. This includes the June 17 and September 16 deadlines for making estimated tax payments.

A variety of business tax deadlines are also affected, including the July 31 deadline for second-quarter payroll and excise tax returns and the September 3 deadline for truckers filing highway use-tax returns.

The IRS will abate any interest, late-payment or late-filing penalty that would otherwise apply. Taxpayers need not contact the IRS to get this relief.

The service will also work with any taxpayer who lives outside the disaster area but whose books, records or tax professional are located in the areas affected by these storms. All workers assisting the relief activities who are affiliated with a recognized government or philanthropic organization also qualify for relief. Taxpayers qualifying for relief who live outside the disaster area, however, need to contact the IRS at (866) 562-5227.

Individuals and businesses who suffered uninsured or unreimbursed disaster-related losses can choose to claim them on either last year’s or this year’s return. Claiming these casualty loss deductions on either an original or amended 2012 return will get the taxpayer an earlier refund, but waiting to claim them on a 2013 return could result in greater tax savings depending upon other income factors.

The IRS is also waiving failure-to-deposit penalties for federal payroll and excise tax deposits normally due on or after May 18 and before June 3 if the deposits are made by June 3. Details on similar available relief is on the IRS disaster relief page.

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.
Tax practice
MORE FROM ACCOUNTING TODAY