IR-2004-108 -- IRS Grants Tax Relief for Tropical Storms' Victims

 WASHINGTON - The Internal Revenue Service today announced special tax
 relief for taxpayers in the Presidential Disaster Area that was struck by
 Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley beginning Aug. 11, 2004.

 Taxpayers in 25 Florida counties generally will have until Oct. 15 to file
 tax returns and submit tax payments. The IRS will abate interest and any
late filing or late payment penalties that would apply.

The disaster area consists of 25 Florida counties: Brevard, Charlotte,
 Collier, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Indian
 River, Lake, Lee, Levy, Manatee, Monroe, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola,
 Pasco, Polk, St. Johns, Sarasota, Seminole and Volusia.

Among the tax relief details:

The Federal Tax Deposit (FTD) Penalty Waiver Period for employment and
 excise tax deposits is Aug. 11-23, 2004.
 

The Extension Period for returns and other tax payments is Aug. 11 -
Oct. 15, 2004.

The Disaster Designation for this area is "Bonnie/Charley" - taxpayers
 mark certain relief-related forms with this designation.

 This extension to file and pay does not apply to information returns, or
 to employment and excise tax deposits. However, the IRS may abate
 penalties on such deposits for affected taxpayers due to reasonable cause
 during the FTD Penalty Waiver Period, provided they make the payment by
 the last day of that Period. Taxpayers whose specific disaster-related
 circumstances prevent them from making tax deposits within that Period may
 seek penalty abatements on a case-by-case basis.

To qualify for this relief, affected taxpayers should put the assigned
 Disaster Designation in red ink at the top of the return, except for Form
 5500, where filers should check Box D in Part 1 and attach a statement,
 following the form's instructions.

 The IRS will waive the usual fees and expedite requests for copies of
 previously filed tax returns for affected taxpayers who need them to apply

 for benefits or to file amended returns claiming casualty losses. Such
 taxpayers should put the assigned Disaster Designation in red ink at the

 top of Form 4506, "Request for Copy of Tax Return," or Form 4506-T,
 "Request for Transcript of Tax Return," as appropriate, and submit it to
 the IRS.