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Comptroller Franchot Extends Tax Relief and Assistance to Help Hurricane Irma Victims

September 11th, 2017 by WCBC Radio

In the aftermath of the destruction and damage caused by Hurricane Irma throughout Florida, Comptroller Peter Franchot today announced a plan to ease the suffering of victims trying to recover from this monstrous natural disaster. The Comptroller has:

·         Issued a temporary waiver of certain IFTA requirements and Motor Fuel Tax returns for   companies affected by the storm.

·         Granted a fuel waiver concerning conventional and reformulated gasoline to ensure the supply of gasoline in the State of Maryland.

·         Named agency contact personnel to assist taxpayers and businesses with other tax filings.

 

“Floridians have been through a traumatic evacuation, a massive hurricane and now have to return to their homes to begin the daunting task of storm clean-up and getting their basic needs met,” Comptroller Franchot said. “Our goal is to make sure individuals and businesses affected by this giant hurricane can focus on clean-up and rebuilding their communities as they start to put their lives back together. We stand ready to assist and to ease any burdens that we can.”

The Comptroller has granted a temporary waiver of certain International Fuel Tax Agreement requirements. The waiver will help ensure the rapid restoration of utilities and allow essential emergency relief supplies and aid personnel to reach the affected areas. The waiver pertains only to shippers and carriers of essential emergency relief supplies and aid personnel or those restoring utilities. It is effective from September 11 through November 30.

For Maryland Motor Fuel Tax license holders in Florida who may have difficulty filing their August 2017 and September 2017 returns by the monthly deadline, the Comptroller has granted a waiver of interest and penalty for those holders. Those affected by the waiver must file their August 2017 and September 2017 Motor Fuel Tax returns by November 30, 2017.

The Comptroller’s Office also will allow the production, sale and distribution of conventional

gasoline (CG) in reformulated gasoline (RFG) control areas in an effort to simplify the supply of fungible gasoline throughout the region affected by fuel supply emergencies caused by Hurricane Irma.

           The Comptroller also has authorized a temporary increase in the Reid Vapor Pressure limits. The fuel waiver request concerning conventional and reformulated gasoline was made by the Maryland Department of the Environment in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency to ensure adequate supplies of gasoline for Maryland consumers.

Anyone with questions or concerns may call Chuck Ulm, assistant director within the Field Enforcement Division (FED), at 410-260-7278; or Nathan Essey, regulatory and licensing section manager/hearing officer for FED, at 410-260-7498.

Certain tax types also could be affected. Those types include: withholding, sales and use, individual non-resident, corporate, admission and amusement and alcohol and tobacco. Because the categories and specific circumstances vary, these instances will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Anyone from Florida who files in Maryland and has a tax concern involving tax return dates is asked to call or email Karen Scheerer, special assistant to the Comptroller, at 410-260-4020 or ombudsman@comp.state.md.us.

For other tax-related questions, individuals may call 410-260-7980 (from Central Maryland) or   1-800-MD-TAXES, or email taxhelp@comp.state.md.us. Businesses may call the Tax Practitioner Hotline at 410-260-7424.

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