Washington, D.C. - Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee Chairman John Lewis (D-GA), today sent a letter to Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Douglas Shulman, requesting swift action to provide all possible assistance to the victims of the severe storms and flooding in Georgia. Text of the letter can be found below:
Sept. 23, 2009
The Honorable Douglas Shulman
Commissioner
Internal Revenue Service
1111 Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20224
Dear Commissioner Shulman,
As you know, there have been severe storms and flooding in my Congressional district of Atlanta, Georgia, and throughout the entire state. I am writing to request that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) act quickly to provide all possible assistance to the victims of the severe storms and flooding in Georgia.
I am hopeful that, upon declaration by the President of a state of emergency, the IRS will act quickly to postpone certain tax filing and payment deadlines and waive certain deposit penalties for taxpayers who reside or have businesses in the affected areas. I am concerned that affected taxpayers may have payroll tax deposits or income tax returns that are due in the next few weeks. In addition, I request that the IRS provide some guidance on what taxpayers should do if they have suffered a casualty loss for property that was damaged or destroyed.
I appreciate your attention. I know that the IRS will work to ease the burden now being felt by many people in the flooded areas of Atlanta.
Sincerely,
John Lewis
Chairman
