For most Tennessee filers, April 17 is the tax filing deadline. But the Internal Revenue Service on Friday reminded taxpayers in 10 counties that a federal disaster declaration gives them more time to file and pay this year and that free tax help in the Chattanooga area will also be extended.
"Due to storms and tornadoes that affected the area in late February, taxpayers in ten Tennessee counties have until May 31 to file and pay their 2011 taxes," said IRS spokesman Dan Boone.
Generally, anyone who lives in, owns a business in, or has their necessary tax records stored in one of the 10 federally-declared counties is eligible for the extended tax deadline and several other tax relief provisions, Mr. Boone said.
The disaster tax relief, announced by the IRS in March, applies to Bradley, Claiborne, Cumberland, DeKalb, Hamilton, Jackson, McMinn, Monroe, Overton and Polk Counties. Details are in a press release posted on the IRS website.
IRS-trained volunteers will offer free tax preparation and e-filing April 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga office at 730 ML King Blvd. in Chattanooga. For more information, call the Urban League at 756-1762.
On April 23 and 30, trained volunteers will offer free tax preparation and e-filing by appointment only at the Northside Neighborhood House at 211 Minor St. in Chattanooga. Call 267-2217 for an appointment.
Tax filers with household income below $50,000 are typically eligible for the free tax preparation and e-filing. Other sites offer free help to tax filers who are age 60 or older.
To find out what to bring to a help site or to locate other free tax help sites in the area, call the IRS toll-free at 800 906-9887.