HARRISBURG – Secretary of Revenue Dan Meuser has announced that the state Department of Revenue will extend certain filing and payment deadlines for business and individual taxpayers in 28 counties directly impacted by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.
Berks County has now been added to the list of counties where certain deadlines are extended. The extension was originally announced Sept. 14.
In general, Pennsylvania will follow Internal Revenue Service rules outlined in recent news releases (PA-34-2011 and PA-33-2011) that extended federal income tax deadlines to Oct. 31.
“These storms destroyed more than property,” Meuser said. “In some cases the winds and flood waters also destroyed the records businesses and individuals need to prepare and file their tax returns.
“Understanding that these storms and flood waters impacted countless businesses and individuals across central and easternPennsylvania, and heeding the Governor’s call to do everything possible to assist in recovery efforts, the department will work with taxpayers to ensure they have the time they need to meet their tax obligations,” Meuser said.
The 2011 Pennsylvania disaster recovery deadline extension generally applies to personal income tax, corporate tax, inheritance tax and liquid fuels and fuels tax filings and payments with due dates somewhere between Aug. 26 and Oct. 30, 2011, for taxpayers in any of the 28 counties identified. Such filings due in this timeframe may now be filed as late as Oct. 31.
Information regarding the state tax deadline extension can be found on the Revenue website, www.revenue.state.pa.us, where a “2011 Disaster Recovery Tax Deadline Extensions” link directs visitors to frequently asked questions and a secure, Web-based email system through which taxpayers can submit disaster recovery tax questions.
The department has also established a dedicated toll-free hotline to address inquiries regarding state tax deadline extensions for business and individual taxpayers directly impacted by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. Taxpayers with questions should call 1-855-749-4853 between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. eastern time. The hotline will be available through Oct. 31.
In addition to extending income tax deadlines, the Department of Revenue has been issuing temporary road permits since Aug. 26 to trucking companies that are assisting with Pennsylvania disaster relief efforts. To date, 40 companies have been authorized 47 permits, which allow the companies to travel into and out of Pennsylvania to provide emergency support to impacted areas.
Editor’s Note: Pennsylvania counties designated as federal disaster areas, which are eligible for certain state tax deadline extensions, include the following:
Adams, Berks, Bradford, Bucks, Chester, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Lycoming, Monroe, Montgomery, Montour, Northampton, Northumberland, Perry, Philadelphia, Schuylkill, Snyder, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Union, Wyoming and York.