WASHINGTON, DC—Responding to concerns from constituents, Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4) today urged the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to extend its October 31st deadline for filing 1040 forms to accommodate filers who were unable to submit their taxes as a result of the extensive power outages in Connecticut. While Governor Malloy and President Obama have both issued disaster declarations for Connecticut in the wake of Winter Storm Alfred, the IRS has yet to provide guidance to taxpayers regarding this deadline.
“With so many individuals and businesses coping with the damages of multiple disasters, the least we can do is assure them they will not be penalized because a lack of power made it impossible for them to submit their taxes,” Himes said. “I urge the IRS to quickly provide guidance regarding the October 31st filing deadline.”
The letter states:
A number of my constituents and their tax preparers as well as individuals and businesses across the state were not able to file and pay their taxes by the October 31 deadline due to the severe power outages and through no fault of their own. It is my understanding that despite numerous formal requests by the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants (CSCPA), the IRS has provided no official guidance on this October 31 deadline issue. I respectfully request that the IRS provide immediate guidance on this matter, including an appropriate extension to the October 31 deadline, allowing affected taxpayers additional time to file and pay their taxes.
Click here to read the complete letter.