The IRS announced a three-month tax filing and payment extension to Boston-area taxpayers and others affected by the explosions at the Boston Marathon. As a result, no filing and payment penalties will be due as long as returns are filed and payments are made by July 15, 2013. This relief automatically applies to all individual taxpayers who live in Suffolk County, Mass., including the City of Boston; as well as victims, their families, first responders, others impacted by this tragedy who live outside Suffolk County and taxpayers whose tax return preparers were adversely affected.
Eligible taxpayers living outside Suffolk County can claim this relief by calling 1-866-562-5227 starting Tuesday, April 23, and identifying themselves to the IRS before filing a return or making a payment. Eligible taxpayers who receive penalty notices from the IRS can also call this number to have the penalties abated. Eligible taxpayers who need more time to file their returns may receive an additional extension to October 15, 2013, by filing Form 4868 by July 15, 2013.