AL/TN-2012-14TN, March 19, 2012

NASHVILLE — Victims of the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding that began on Feb. 29, 2012 in parts of Tennessee may qualify for tax relief from the Internal Revenue Service.

The President has declared Bradley, Claiborne, Cumberland, DeKalb, Hamilton, Jackson, McMinn, Monroe, Overton and Polk counties a federal disaster area. Individuals who reside or have a business in these counties may qualify for tax relief.

The declaration permits the IRS to postpone certain deadlines for taxpayers who reside or have a business in the disaster area. For instance, certain deadlines falling on or after Feb. 29, and on or before May 31, have been postponed to May 31, 2012. This includes the April 17 deadline for filing 2011 individual income tax returns, making income tax payments and making 2011 contributions to an individual retirement account (IRA).

In addition, the IRS is waiving the failure-to-deposit penalties for employment and excise tax deposits due on or after Feb. 29, and on or before March 15, as long as the deposits are made by March 15, 2012.

If an affected taxpayer receives a penalty notice from the IRS, the taxpayer should call the telephone number on the notice to have the IRS abate any interest and any late filing or late payment penalties that would otherwise apply. Penalties or interest will be abated only for taxpayers who have an original or extended filing, payment or deposit due date, including an extended filing or payment due date, that falls within the postponement period.

The IRS automatically identifies taxpayers located in the covered disaster area and applies automatic filing and payment relief. But affected taxpayers who reside or have a business located outside the covered disaster area must call the IRS disaster hotline at 866-562-5227 to request this tax relief.