DELEGATION SECURES 30-DAY EXTENSION OF TAX FILING DEADLINE FOR FLOOD-AFFECTED COUNTIES IN NORTH DAKOTA

Delegation Contacted IRS to Urge Tax Filing Delay

Thursday, April 2, 2009

CONTACT: Justin Kitsch
or  Brenden Timpe
PHONE: 202-224-2551

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) --- Senators Byron Dorgan and Kent Conrad and Congressman Earl Pomeroy today announced that they secured a 30-day extension of the tax filing deadline and relief from interest, fees and penalties associated with the delayed filings for North Dakotans affected by the flood.

“As North Dakotans came together to fight back the rising waters threatening their communities, the farthest thing from their mind should be gathering the documents necessary to file their taxes,” Congressman Pomeroy said. “I’m pleased Commissioner Shulman granted our request for relief from the looming tax filing deadline to people affected by the floods. This 30-day extension will provide people with the extra time they need as they clean up and get their lives back in order.”

“This is the right decision by the IRS,” Senator Dorgan said. “Many residents of North Dakota have been engaged in this flood fight and trying to keep water out of their communities. They need and deserve extra time, and I appreciate the IRS’s quick response to our call to give North Dakotans affected by the flood some relief.”

“After days battling floods, North Dakotans are only now beginning to return to a bit of normalcy. However, there are still many long days and sleepless nights ahead as people begin to clean up and rebuild their lives. And of course, we're not out of the woods yet -- we still could see more flooding this spring. The last thing North Dakotans need is a tax filing deadline hanging over their heads. I am pleased that the IRS sees the common sense in giving North Dakotans an extension to file their federal taxes.”

IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman announced today that he has extended the tax filing deadline until May 15, 2009 for individuals and sole proprietors in North Dakota residing in the 34 counties and two reservations that were designated as federally declared disaster areas by President Obama on March 24, 2009. This extension came at the request of the Congressional delegation, which sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner and Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Shulman seeking a postponement of the April 15 tax filing deadline for flood-affected citizens in North Dakota.

“In more typical times, during the month leading up to the tax filing deadline North Dakotans would be gathering receipts and tax forms instead of bagging sand and fighting the forces of nature,” the delegation said in their letter. “We ask you to utilize your full flexibility to provide immediate and proactive tax relief, which will enable the community volunteers and National Guard to stay engaged in the battle against flooding,” the letter continued.

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