The IRS has announced tax relief for victims of Hurricane Rita.
Briefly, the relief includes extensions (in some cases, automatic) for filing returns and making estimated payments. In most cases, the extension date is February 28, 2006.
Automatic extensions are granted for Texas residents of the following counties: Angelina, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Hardin, Harris, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Trinity, Tyler, and Walker.
Automatic extensions are granted for Louisiana residents of the following parishes: Acadia, Allen, Ascension, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Evangeline, Iberia, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Lafourche, Plaquemines, Sabine, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, Terrebonne, Vermilion, Vernon and West Baton Rouge.
In other areas affected by the storm, hurricane victims will need to request an extension by identifying themselves as a hurricane victim by writing “Hurricane Rita” in red ink on the top of all tax papers filed with the IRS. For more information, click on the link above or check with your tax professional.