NE storm victims get another week

WASHINGTON – Taxpayers in the Northeast swamped by a powerful storm just before the filing deadline can delay filing their federal returns for another week, IRS Commissioner Mark Everson said Wednesday.

Filers in New York and the Northeast were originally given a two-day extension, but will now have until April 26 to file their federal income tax returns, Everson announced at a Senate Finance Committee hearing.

The extension came at the request of Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., who said many of his constituents are still dealing with the aftermath of the April 16 storm.

The IRS has not issued a roster of eligible states, but affected taxpayers can write “April 16 Storm” on their paper returns. Taxpayers who file their returns electronically can use their software’s “disaster” feature, if available.

“That’s good news and I want to compliment the IRS on their responsiveness,” said Schumer.

The automatic extension is also good news for those who weren’t directly affected by the storm, but happen to live in the states that were.

“They’re not going to make you prove that you were affected by the storm,” Schumer said.