Posts Tagged ‘Gulf Coast Oil Spill Tax Payments’

IRS Provides Advice on Oil Spill Payments

Sunday, June 27th, 2010

On July 17, the Internal Revenue Service will hold a “Gulf Coast Special Assistance Day” in four states: Alabama (Mobile), Florida (Panama City and Pensacola), Louisiana (New Orleans, Houma and Baton Rouge) and Mississippi (Gulfport). The intent is to address questions related to tax liabilities arising from compensation for losses incurred in connection with the Gulf Coast Oil spill. “This is a very difficult time for many people affected by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. As residents of the region cope with the evolving situation, I want to assure them that the IRS will be doing everything it can to provide tax help to those who need it,” IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman said. “We encourage anyone who has an issue with the IRS to contact us and explain their hardship, and we will work with them to find a solution. We’ll do everything we can under current law to help taxpayers.” The IRS has published guidance on its website to explain that BP payments for lost income are taxable as the payments replace wages or business income that would otherwise be taxed. Reimbursement for property loss is generally not taxable. The IRS is setting up a toll-free telephone hotline to answer taxpayers’ questions in these matters. Gulf Coast residents should also be certain to ask about the deductibility of uninsured or unreimbursed losses.