News Release
August 15, 2003 - Blackout
Prompts Tax Filing Extension -- New Due Date: August
22
(Columbus) – Tax Commissioner Tom Zaino said today the Ohio
Department of Taxation (ODT) will extend tax filing and
payment deadlines to individuals and businesses affected by
the power blackout that swept through large sections of Ohio,
many other states and parts of Canada.
The extension means that individual income tax, employer
withholding tax and accelerated sales tax returns and
payments due today, August 15th, will now be considered
timely if filed by August 22, 2003.
Tax Commissioner Tom Zaino says ODT cannot waive interest
that accrues on any delayed payments but will not impose any
penalties on taxpayers who couldn’t file or pay because of
the massive electrical power failure.
“We’re not certain how many taxpayers were shutdown by the
blackout and unable to file, but we’re ready to work with any
individual or business that was planning to file to help get
them back on track.” Zaino said.
Zaino says affected taxpayers should mark “Northeast
Blackout” on top of any delayed returns or otherwise notify
ODT about their situation to help avoid any inadvertent
penalty.
The extension covers individuals who opted for the August 15
extension for filing income tax returns, and businesses that
file monthly employer withholding tax returns, and vendors
that must make accelerated sales tax payments.
To contact ODT or for additional information, individual
income taxpayers should call
1-800-282-1780; business taxpayers should call
1-888-405-4039.
The Internal
Revenue Service is granting a similar extension for
federal taxpayers.
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(For more information, contact Gary Gudmundson, ODT
Communications Director, at (614) 644-6903).