Tax relief for storm victims in Nebraska, Oklahoma

Victims of storms in Nebraska and Oklahoma may qualify for filing and other tax relief.

In the wake of severe winter storms, straight-line winds and flooding occurring on March 9, 2019, in Nebraska — and following recent disaster declarations — affected taxpayers in certain areas of the state will receive tax relief. Individuals who reside or have a business in Antelope, Boone, Boyd, Buffalo, Butler, Burt, Cass, Colfax, Cuming, Custer, Dodge, Douglas, Hall, Howard, Knox, Madison, Nance, Nemaha, Pierce, Platte, Richardson, Saline, Sarpy, Saunders, Stanton, Thurston, and Washington counties — as well as the Santee Sioux Nation — may qualify for tax relief. Holt County was added on June 5.

Certain deadlines falling on or after March 9 and before July 31 are granted additional time to file through July 31, 2019. This includes 2018 individual income tax returns and payments normally due on April 15, 2019. It also includes the quarterly estimated income tax payments due on April 15 and June 17. Eligible taxpayers will also have until July 31 to make 2018 IRA contributions.

Penalties on payroll and excise tax deposits due on or after March 9 and before March 25 will be abated as long as the deposits were made by March 25, 2019.

Victims of the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding on May 7 in Oklahoma may also qualify for tax relief.

Individuals who reside or have a business in Muskogee, Tulsa and Wagoner counties may qualify. Certain deadlines falling on or after May 7 and before Sept. 16 are granted time to file through Sept. 16, 2019. This includes the quarterly estimated income tax payment due on June 17 as well as the employment and excise tax returns due on July 31, 2019. Penalties on payroll and excise tax deposits due on or after May 7 and before May 22 will be abated as long as the deposits were made by May 22, 2019.

If an affected taxpayer receives a late filing or late payment penalty notice from the IRS that has an original or extended filing, payment or deposit due date that falls within the postponement period, the taxpayer should call the number on the notice to have the IRS abate the penalty.

The IRS automatically identifies taxpayers in the covered disaster area and applies filing and payment relief. Affected taxpayers who reside or have a business outside the covered disaster area must call the IRS at (866) 562-5227 to request this relief.

Sign in front of IRS building in Washington, D.C.
The IRS building in Washington, D.C.

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