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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, October 16, 2006
Slaughter Secures Extension of Tax Deadline Following Winter Storm
Washington, DC - Rep. Louise M. Slaughter (D-Fairport), Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee, today secured a filing extension for individuals and businesses in Western New York who must submit their federal tax returns to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) this week.
"The last thing that Western New York residents need right now is to be penalized for missing their tax filing deadlines," Rep. Slaughter said. "I contacted Commissioner Everson today so that the people hit hardest by this storm will have one less problem to worry about during our ongoing recovery efforts."
The extension will apply to Erie, Niagara, Orleans, and Genesee taxpayers who requested a six-month extension to file their 2005 Federal income tax return and now face an October 16 tax deadline.
To secure the extension, Rep. Slaughter sent a letter to IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson detailing the extent of the disruption caused by last week's snow storm and explaining the impact it would have on taxpayers trying to send tax returns to the IRS.
"A certified public accountant (CPA) in my district has brought to my attention the fact that a number of his clients had received an extension on filing their federal tax returns until today, October 16th," Rep. Slaughter's letter read. "Without power, the CPA is unable to access his client's returns and transmit them to the IRS. Accordingly, I urge the IRS to issue an emergency extension for tax filers in the four counties designated as federal disaster areas."
The complete text of Rep. Slaughter's letter can be found below.
FURTHER ACTIONS TAKEN FOR BUFFALO AND ERIE RESIDENTS:
The tax extension secured by Rep. Slaughter follows a series of actions the Congresswoman has taken since Friday that have been central to recovery operations, among them her work to ensure that Western New York was declared a federal disaster area, thereby releasing federal resources to be used in recovery operations.
On Friday, Rep. Slaughter sent a letter to Governor Pataki urging that he declare a state of emergency in Buffalo and Erie County and that he contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency for assistance.
Rep. Slaughter also sent a letter, along with Senators Schumer and Clinton and Rep. Brian Higgins, to President Bush urging that he declare Western New York to be a federal disaster area as quickly as possible following Governor Pataki's request for such a designation. President Bush declared a state of emergency yesterday, which authorized federal agencies and resources to be used in the recovery effort.
Furthermore, over the last three days, Rep. Slaughter and her staff have been in regular contact with officials from FEMA, the National Grid, Governor Pataki's Office, Mayor Brown's office, and the Buffalo Police Department in an effort to assist and expedite recovery operations.
The complete text of Rep. Slaughter's letter to Commissioner Everson is included below:
Dear Commissioner Everson,
I am writing to request that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issue a filing extension for individuals and businesses in Western New York who must submit their federal tax returns to the IRS this week. On Sunday October 15th, President Bush declared four counties in Western New York -- Niagara, Erie, Orleans and Genesee -- federal disaster areas in the aftermath of last week's snow storm. The storm caused widespread damage to the region's infrastructure, and more than 270,000 people and businesses remain without power. A certified public accountant (CPA) in my district has brought to my attention the fact that a number of his clients had received an extension on filing their federal tax returns until today, October 16th. Without power, the CPA is unable to access his client's returns and transmit them to the IRS. Accordingly, I urge the IRS to issue an emergency extension for tax filers in the four counties designated as federal disaster areas. New York State has already moved to issue an extension for those affected by the storm, and IRS action would alleviate one small burden for a number of tax filers trying to clean-up after the storm.
I appreciate your prompt attention to this request. For more information, please contact Alan Snyder of my staff at (202) 225-3615.
Sincerely,
Rep. Louise M. Slaughter
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