MAINE, USA — Maine residents and businesses impacted by severe weather in December now qualify for tax relief following a disaster declaration for several counties across the state.
On Tuesday, President Joe Biden approved a Major Disaster Declaration for areas of central and western Maine that experienced power outages, flooding, and severe damage. The disaster declaration allows for federal assistance to supplement local recovery efforts.
The Internal Revenue Service announced in a news release on Monday that individuals and businesses across 10 counties who were impacted beginning on Dec. 17 will qualify for tax relief and an extended tax filing deadline.
The relief applies to those in Androscoggin, Franklin, Hancock, Kennebec, Oxford, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset, Waldo, and Washington counties.
Impacted Mainers now have until June 17 to file returns and pay taxes due during the current period. Those who need additional time to file their federal income tax extension are asked to file by April 15 for an Oct. 15 deadline.
This relief and deadline postponement follows the Federal Emergency Management Agency's disaster declaration last week, which allows the IRS to postpone certain tax-filing and tax-payment deadlines for those who live or own a business in a designated disaster area.
More information regarding specific tax filing and deadline information can be found here.
Damage assessments are ongoing. Those who sustained losses in areas designated for assistance can apply for aid here, call 800-621-FEMA (3362), or via the FEMA App.