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Ill. To Waive Tax Penalties, Interest After Hamas Attacks

By Zak Kostro · 2023-10-18 17:08:40 -0400 ·

Illinois will waive tax penalties and interest for people and businesses affected by the Hamas attacks in Israel this month, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said.

Pritzker, a Democrat, announced the tax relief for individuals and businesses "affected by the attacks that took place in Israel a week ago and the resulting Israeli-Palestinian conflict," according to a news release published by the Illinois Department of Revenue. Affected taxpayers may ask the department to waive penalties and interest if they can't file their returns or make timely payments for income, withholding, sales, specialty and excise taxes, the release said.

The deadline has been extended to Oct. 7, 2024, the department said, and the extension is limited to returns and payments due between Oct. 7, 2023, and Oct. 7, 2024.

The extension applies to any person whose principal residence is in Israel, the West Bank or Gaza, the release said, and to any business entity or sole proprietor whose primary place of business is in the covered area. The extension also applies to any person, business, sole proprietor, trust or estate whose tax preparer is located in the area, according to the release.

Anyone killed, injured or taken hostage due to the conflict also qualifies for an extension, as does anyone affiliated with a recognized government or philanthropic organization who is assisting in the covered area, such as a relief worker, the release said.

The department said taxpayers seeking waivers of penalties and interest should send a brief written explanation of why they can't timely file or pay and an estimate of when they believe they can file or pay.

--Editing by Khalid Adad.

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