For Immediate Release
Date: July 7, 2008
Contact: David Griffith
Phone: (573) 751-8222

Gov. Blunt and Revenue Director Extend Filing Deadline for Flood Victims

JEFFERSON CITY - Gov. Matt Blunt and the Missouri Department of Revenue (Department) announced that taxpayers in the affected counties of Clark, Lewis, Lincoln, Marion, Pike, Ralls, and St. Charles, will have until August 29, 2008, to file and pay taxes that were due between June 1, 2008, and August 29, 2008.  Each of these counties was declared federal disaster areas and qualifies for individual assistance by the federal government, due to the recent flooding.

“Countless Missouri families, businesses, and their communities have been devastated by flooding and its aftermath,” Gov. Matt Blunt said. “This extension will allow Missouri families and businesses recovering from the flood to focus on these immediate concerns and not the upcoming tax deadline.”

“The Department is sensitive to the difficult times that lay ahead for our fellow citizens due to the destructive flooding in these areas,” said Director of Revenue, Omar Davis. “Extending their deadline for filing taxes will, hopefully, result in one less thing for them to worry about at this trying time in their lives.”

On July 2, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that taxpayers in the affected counties have been granted an extension to the regular deadline to file and pay federal taxes due between June 1, 2008, and August 29, 2008.  Director Davis has determined that a corresponding extension of time to file and pay Missouri taxes, which were due between June 1, 2008, and August 29, 2008, shall be granted.

The Department considers taxpayers who live in, have businesses in, or employ tax preparers in the affected counties eligible for the relief.  Missouri taxpayers who qualify need to indicate their eligibility for relief by including the phrase “Missouri/Severe Flooding” at the top of their tax forms so the Department may take appropriate action.

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