Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SB1815

Introduced
6/6/23  

Caption

Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Act

Impact

The introduction of SB1815 is expected to have a significant impact on how federal tax obligations are managed during emergencies declared at the state level. By allowing state-declared disasters to trigger a similar response from federal tax authorities as federally declared disasters, the bill seeks to address a gap that often leaves state governments and affected individuals without adequate relief. The ability to postpone tax deadlines from 60 days to 120 days is a notable enhancement that provides additional time for recovery without the immediate financial pressures of tax deadlines.

Summary

SB1815, titled the 'Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Act,' aims to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to enhance the provision for postponing certain federal tax deadlines due to state-declared disasters. This legislation is designed to provide state governors with the authority to request the same tax deadline extensions that are available for federally declared disasters. By formalizing this process, the bill seeks to streamline the response of federal agencies in supporting states recovering from disasters, ensuring that residents and businesses have relief during critical recovery periods.

Contention

While the intent behind SB1815 is largely seen as beneficial, there can be points of contention regarding its implementation. Concerns may arise about the consistency and speed of the federal response to state requests for deadline extensions, as each state's situation may differ dramatically in terms of recovery needs. Additionally, some stakeholders might question the sufficiency of oversight and the criteria used to determine which disasters warrant such extensions. The effectiveness of the notification system to ensure that all affected taxpayers are properly informed about their extended deadlines could also be a potential area of debate.

Companion Bills

US HB3861

Related Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Act

Previously Filed As

US HB3861

Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Act

US HB517

Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Act

US HB5873

Natural Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023

US HB3655

Preventing Our Next Natural Disaster Act

US HB3525

Natural Disaster Risk Reinsurance Program Act of 2023

US HB1605

Natural Disaster Recovery Program Act of 2023

US SB3043

Natural Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023

US HB1009

National Strategy to Utilize Microreactors for Natural Disaster Response Efforts Act

US SB132

Filing Relief for Natural Disasters ActThis bill authorizes the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to postpone federal tax deadlines for taxpayers affected by a qualified state declared disaster, upon written request by the state governor. The bill also increases the automatic extension of federal tax deadlines for certain taxpayers.Under current law, the IRS may postpone federal tax deadlines for taxpayers affected by a federally declared disaster, including (but not limited to) deadlines for (1) filing federal tax returns, (2) paying federal taxes, (3) making retirement plan contributions, and (4) tax assessments and collections.The bill authorizes the IRS to postpone such federal tax deadlines for taxpayers affected by a qualified state declared disaster upon written request by the state’s governor (or the District of Columbia mayor). Under the bill, a state includes the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.The bill defines qualified state declared disaster as any natural catastrophe, fire, flood, or explosion that causes damage of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant a request to postpone such federal tax deadlines.Further, under current law, an automatic 60-day extension of such federal tax deadlines applies to certain relief workers, individuals killed or injured as a result of a federally declared disaster, and taxpayers whose principal residence, business, or tax records are located in a federally declared disaster area.The bill increases to 120 days the automatic extension of federal tax deadlines for these taxpayers.

US SB1686

Reforming Disaster Recovery Act

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.