Gov't Flood Aid Won't Boost Your Taxes

New Yorkers who receive disaster grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency or New York State will not pay additional taxes, lose their Social Security benefits or other government benefit programs, Senator James L. Seward said today.

Disaster assistance for temporary housing, home repair, to repair or replace personal property, or for other serious needs does not count as income and will not be taxed.

Seward said that, according to federal and state officials, disaster relief payments from the government or donations from charitable organizations will not affect eligibility for individual federal or state benefits such as Social Security or welfare assistance.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is providing special tax relief for taxpayers living in 12 New York counties: Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Herkimer, Montgomery, Oneida, Orange, Otsego, Schoharie, Sullivan, Tioga, and Ulster. Deadlines for affected taxpayers to file returns, pay taxes and perform other time-sensitive acts falling on or after June 26, 2006, and on or before Sept. 5, 2006, have been postponed to Sept. 5, 2006.

For more information on tax relief in disaster situations, visit the IRS web site at www.irs.gov. The IRS toll-free number for general tax questions is 800-829-1040 or TTY 800-829-4059 for the deaf or hard of hearing.

For more information on Social Security, visit the web site at www.socialsecurity.gov. To ask specific questions, call toll free 800-772-1213 or TTY 800-325-0778 for the deaf or hard of hearing.

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