The IRS announced that more Ohio taxpayers may be eligible to receive tax relief following the devastating tornadoes that swept across the state at the end of May. As of July 3, victims in Mahoning county have been added to the list of taxpayers who may qualify.

As the agency noted, they are able to provide tax relief for natural disaster victims following a presidential disaster declaration: “The declaration permits the IRS to postpone certain deadlines for taxpayers who reside or have a business in the disaster area. For instance, certain deadlines falling on or after May 27, 2019 and before Sept. 30, 2019, are granted additional time to file through Sept. 30, 2019.”

Taxpayers benefitting from tax relief will similarly not face penalties associated with missed deadlines. “Penalties on payroll and excise tax deposits due on or after May 27, 2019, and before June 11, 2019 will be abated as long as the deposits were made by June 11, 2019,” the IRS wrote. In fact, any late notices beneficiaries receive should be reported to the IRS.

Who qualifies for tax relief?

Following a natural disaster declaration, the IRS will continue to update the list of counties that may qualify for relief as they receive information from FEMA officials. As of the latest update, taxpayers and businesses in the following counties may qualify for tax relief:

• Auglaize
• Darke
• Greene
• Hocking
• Mercer
• Mahoning
• Miami
• Montgomery
• Muskingum
• Perry
• Pickaway

As when any tax relief is issued, the IRS clarified who may be eligible to receive tax relief: “Taxpayers considered to be affected taxpayers … include individuals who live, and businesses (including tax-exempt organizations) whose principal place of business is located, in the covered disaster area.”

While those clearly identified as qualifying taxpayers do not need to apply for tax relief, those who were affected by the storm but live outside the designated relief areas will need to apply with the IRS by calling 866-562-5227.

Source: OH-2019-01