Storm and flood victims may qualify for tax relief

Contact: Jessica Iverson, 608-266-2300,
jessica.iverson@revenue.wi.gov

MADISON – The federal government has declared a state of disaster in seven Wisconsin counties, making individual assistance available in Columbia, Crawford, Milwaukee, Sauk, Vernon, Racine and Richland Counties. As a result, affected taxpayers in that area qualify for an extension to August 13, 2008 for return and report filing, tax payment and other deadline-sensitive actions. As additional counties are declared eligible for assistance, the relief provisions will apply to affected taxpayers in those counties.

“Affected taxpayers” include taxpayers whose principal residence or principal place of business is located in the covered disaster area, taxpayers whose books or tax records or whose tax professionals’ offices are located in the covered disaster area, and relief workers affiliated with a recognized government or philanthropic organization assisting with the relief activities in the covered disaster area.

The relief provisions include:

Income tax returns of taxpayers other than corporations
Affected taxpayers have until August 13, 2008, to file their state and federal returns for the tax year 2007 for both federal and Wisconsin purposes. When filing the Wisconsin income tax return with the extension to August 13, taxpayers should enter the number “03” in the Special Conditions box on the front of the return and write “Wisconsin flooding” on the line provided.

Estimated tax payments of taxpayers other than corporations
Affected taxpayers with an estimated tax payment due on or after June 5, 2008 and before August 13, 2008, receive an extension to make the payment until August 13, 2008.

Corporation franchise or income tax returns
For federal income tax returns of corporations, affected corporations with a due date that falls on or after June 5, 2008, and before August 13, 2008, are granted an extension of time to file. These corporations are allowed an additional 30 days beyond August 13, 2008 to file their corresponding Wisconsin returns.

Corporation estimated tax payments
Affected corporations with an estimated tax payment due on or after June 5, 2008 and before August 13, 2008, receive an extension to make the payment until August 13, 2008.

State sales and use, withholding and excise tax returns, reports and payments
For reporting periods with a due date that falls on or after June 5, 2008, and before August 13, 2008, an affected taxpayer may request a 30-day extension of time to file by contacting:

Registration Unit
Wisconsin Department of Revenue
PO Box 8949
Madison, WI 53708-8949

Taxpayers with questions about their particular tax situations may contact the Department of Revenue:

Individual taxpayers – (608) 266-2772
Business taxpayers – (608) 266-2776