DRS: Governor Rell Announces Filing Deadline Extension as Hurricane Relief

Contact: Sarah E. Kaufman

(860) 297-5610

Sarah.Kaufman@po.state.ct.us

Hartford – Governor M. Jodi Rell announced today that the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS) will follow federal rules that provide special tax relief for victims of Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Rita, and Hurricane Wilma.

DRS has adopted guidelines established by the Internal Revenue Services (IRS) for those taxpayers in the Presidential Disaster Areas. These taxpayers who have Connecticut tax liabilities will have until February 28, 2006, to file tax returns and submit tax payments without penalty or interest. This relief includes all filing deadlines and extended deadlines that fell on or after the disaster declaration date of each storm.

For Connecticut tax purposes, Presidential Disaster Areas and, the dates tax relief was initiated for those areas, are those listed on the IRS web site at www.irs.gov Information about federal tax relief for victims is also available at this site.

To qualify for this relief, affected taxpayers must write "Hurricane Katrina," "Hurricane Rita," or "Hurricane Wilma" at the top of their Connecticut tax return when filed. For taxpayers using the Internet to file tax returns, they should file the return as usual when they are able to do so. However, in addition to the filing, affected taxpayers must send an email to DRS.Fastfile@po.state.ct.us including a comment that late filing was due to "Hurricane Katrina," "Hurricane Rita," or "Hurricane Wilma". When this email is received, DRS will take the necessary steps to assure a timely filing. The above mentioned email address can be found as a link at the end of your filing on the Confirmation page.

If an affected taxpayer receives a notice from DRS containing penalties for late filing or payment, the affected taxpayer should contact the DRS Accounts Receivable at (860) 297-4771 for abatement information.

For more information about Connecticut tax issues, please visit the DRS web site at www.ct.gov/DRS or call 1-800-382-9463 in state, or (860) 297-5962 from anywhere. Media calls should be directed to the communications office at (860) 297-5610.