State Treasurer: 33 Counties Eligible for Tax Extension Relief

State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks today announced that individuals and businesses in 33 Michigan counties are now eligible for state tax extension relief.

On April 15, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer extended her state of emergency to Alcona, Allegan, Alpena, Antrim, Arenac, Barry, Benzie, Charlevoix, Clare, Crawford, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Gratiot, Iosco, Kalkaska, Lake, Leelanau, Manistee, Menominee, Missaukee, Montcalm, Montmorency, Newaygo, Oceana, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Osceola, Presque Isle, Roscommon, Saginaw, Shiawassee and Wexford counties as communities across Michigan continue to deal with severe weather-related impacts from rising water levels, flooding, straight-line winds and tornadoes.

Previously, Governor Whitmer declared a state of emergency on April 10 for Cheboygan County due to response and recovery efforts related to rising water at the Cheboygan Lock and Dam Complex.

Individual and business taxpayers in a total of 33 counties may now request additional time to file state tax returns and pay state tax bills. Penalties and interest will be waived for those who qualify.

"Recent weather systems have affected large portions of the state," State Treasurer Eubanks said. "Our goal is to provide extra time to file tax returns or make payments so individuals and businesses can focus on immediate response and recovery efforts. Please contact Treasury to learn more about available relief options."

Tax extension relief is not automatic. Taxpayers must contact Treasury online, by U.S. Postal Service or phone to request relief.

When requesting tax extension relief, the following must be included: name and account number of the individual or business taxpayer; a description of how the taxpayer was affected by the severe weather; and taxpayer or tax preparer's address within the emergency area.

Requests for state tax extension relief for individual income taxes and business taxes can be submitted online.

Taxpayers choosing to send their request through the U.S. Postal Service should use the following address: Michigan Department of Treasury, Attn: Disaster Tax Relief, Lansing, Michigan 48922

Taxpayers can inquire about state tax extension relief by phone. For individual income tax, call 517-636-4486. Business taxpayers are asked to call 517-636-6925.

Some taxpayers may receive a preliminary assessment notice before a tax extension relief request is formally received by Treasury. Taxpayers within the emergency area who receive these notices should contact Treasury by phone to resolve the issue.

Specific details related to the types of individual and business state tax extension relief available can be found in a Treasury-issued Taxpayer Notice. Individuals and businesses are encouraged to contact the Internal Revenue Service about federal tax extension relief options.

In addition to notifying Treasury, individuals claiming relief under this notice must complete lines 35b through 35d when filing the Michigan Individual Income Tax Return (Form MI-1040).

For the latest updates about this emergency tax extension relief, go to Michigan.gov/Taxes.