The Internal Revenue Service announced special relief for taxpayers in the Presidential Disaster Areas struck by Hurricane Katrina.

These taxpayers generally will have until Jan. 3, 2006, to file tax returns and submit tax payments . The IRS will abate interest and any late filing or late payment penalties that would otherwise apply. This relief includes the Sept. 15 due date for estimated taxes and for calendar-year corporate returns with automatic extensions.

"People affected by Hurricane Katrina have more than enough concerns -- taxes shouldn't be among them," said IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson. "We hope the relief we are providing will help taxpayers in their financial recovery from this devastating storm."

Disaster areas designated for relief include:

• 64 Louisiana parishes: Acadia, Allen, Ascension , Assumption, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Caldwell, Calcasieu, Cameron, Catahoula, Claiborne, Concordia, Desoto , East Baton Rouge , East Carroll, East Feliciana, Evangeline, Franklin, Grant, Iberia, Iberville, Jackson, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Lafourche, LaSalle, Lincoln, Livingston , Madison, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Orleans, Ouachita, Pointe Coupee, Plaquemines, Rapides, Red River, Richland, Sabine, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John, St. Landry, St. Mary, St. Martin, St. Tammany , Tangipahoa, Tensas, Terrebonne, Union, Vermilion, Vernon, Washington, Webster, West Baton Rouge, West Carroll, West Feliciana and Winn;

• The Federal Tax Deposit (FTD) Penalty Waiver Period for employment and excise tax deposits is Aug. 29 - Sept. 23, 2005.
• The Extension Period for returns and other tax payments is Aug. 29 - Jan. 3, 2006.
• The Disaster Designation for this area is "Hurricane Katrina" -- taxpayers mark certain relief-related forms with this designation in red.

Further disaster-related tax relief information can be found on IRS.gov.

If you have questions, e-mail or call 225-292-7434 or 985-674-9092.

Related articles:

• Louisiana Department of Revenue Grants Relief for Hurricane Victims
• Post Hurricane Relief