04.15.13

Hoeven: IRS Agrees to Extend Filing Deadline, Waive Late Penalties Due to Severe Winter Storm in North Dakota

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today announced that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has agreed to his request to extend the deadline and waive penalties for filing tax returns in North Dakota. Residents across much of state are still digging out from a record storm that dropped up to 19 inches of heavy, drifting snow in some communities, delaying school openings and closing stores and major roads, including I-94.

The IRS today said “taxpayers directly impacted by these storms will qualify for penalty relief, based on reasonable cause, if, due to these storms, they are unable to file their returns or pay tax due until after tonight’s midnight deadline. This relief applies to the late-filing penalty, normally 5 percent per month, and the late-payment penalty, normally 0.5 percent per month, provided taxpayers file the return or pay the tax within a reasonable time after the power outages and transportation problems have been resolved.”

“North Dakotans right now are focused on digging out, getting back to work or school and making sure they have basic supplies after being housebound all weekend,” Hoeven said. “We requested this extension due to the severity and broad extent of the storm we’ve experienced over the last few days.”