Today, the federal delegation representing Snohomish County called on the Internal Revenue Service to provide tax relief for families who have been affected by the State Route 530 mudslide.
In a letter sent today to IRS Commissioner John Koskinen, Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Patty Murray (D-WA), and U.S. Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Rick Larsen (WA-02), urged the IRS to extend the tax filing deadline for affected individuals in Darrington, Oso and Arlington. The deadline for Americans to file their taxes is in 12 days, on Tuesday, April 15.
The delegation letter comes one day after President Barack Obama declared the State Route 530 mudslide to be a major disaster.
“We are writing today to urge the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to provide timely and guaranteed relief for taxpayers affected by the mudslide in Oso, Washington and respectfully request an extension of the tax filing deadline for the individuals impacted by this natural disaster,” the delegation wrote. “We believe it is important to provide this assurance especially in light of the Major Disaster Declaration for the State Route 530 slide that has been approved by the President.”
In previous cases, the IRS has provided affected taxpayers in federally declared disaster areas with extensions on tax filing deadlines and flexibility in claiming disaster losses. Most recently, the IRS announced relief on 2013 tax filings for victims of storms and flooding in Colorado and Illinois. Further information on disaster tax relief is available at http://www.irs.gov/uac/Tax-Relief-in-Disaster-Situations.
View the letter.
The full text of the letter is below:
April 3, 2014
The Honorable John Koskinen
Commissioner
Internal Revenue Service
1111 Constitution Ave, NW
Washington, D.C. 20224
Dear Commissioner Koskinen
We are writing today to urge the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to provide timely and guaranteed relief for taxpayers affected by the mudslide in Oso, Washington and respectfully request an extension of the tax filing deadline for the individuals impacted by this natural disaster. We believe it is important to provide this assurance especially in light of the Major Disaster Declaration for the State Route 530 slide that has been approved by the President.
As you know, a horrific mudslide occurred in Snohomish County, Washington in the community of Oso on March 22, 2014. Approximately 49 residential structures have been impacted by the mudslide, including the destruction of an estimated 37 homes and the severe flooding of 7 homes. In addition, there has been extensive damage in the neighboring communities of Darrington and Arlington.
In the past, the IRS has provided taxpayers with guidance regarding filing extensions after natural disasters that have occurred near the April 15 individual income tax filing deadline. In February 2013, the IRS provided tax relief, including postponement of individual income tax filing deadlines, to victims of severe storms and flooding in Mississippi. Similar tax relief and a postponement of the individual income tax filing deadline and income tax payment requirements were provided to mudslide and landslide victims in West Virginia in March 2012.
With the 2014 filing season deadline approaching soon, we hope the IRS will continue its diligent work of providing assistance to victims of natural disasters. It is imperative that the IRS issue tax relief and guidance, including postponement of individual income tax filing requirements, as soon as possible for taxpayers in Snohomish County, Washington affected by this disaster.
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