TRENTON
- The Ó£»¨ÊÓÆµ Department of the Treasury announced today that, for
those impacted by yesterday's widespread and prolonged power outages,
the State's Division of Taxation will consider tax returns or payments
due August 15 as timely if they are postmarked or received by August
22, 2003.
"We
recognize that individuals and businesses will need some time to recover
once their power is fully restored," said Robert Thompson, director
of the Division of Taxation. "We will waive any late penalties
on payments due between August 15 and August 22, provided they are submitted
by the 22nd. However, the law does not allow us to abate interest on
any overdue taxes during this period."
For
the purposes of this extension, affected taxpayers include individuals
and businesses located in all blackout areas, as well as those whose
tax records, including documents needed for making tax deposits, are
located in an area where power was lost. The transmission of returns
and remittances that are submitted electronically must be completed
by midnight, August 22, in order to avoid applicable penalties. Paper
submissions must be postmarked by that date as well. Those filing paper
submissions should write "NORTHEAST BLACKOUT" in red ink at
the top of the form in order to be considered for this tax relief.
The
Division of Taxation will continue to monitor this situation to determine
if any additional consideration is warranted.
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