Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson has asked the U.S. Treasury Department to postpone federal tax filing and payment deadlines for people and businesses affected by the state’s wildfires. The request seeks a one-year postponement for affected taxpayers in seven counties and three Tribal Nations.
What has been requested
The governor’s office said the requested relief is intended to give taxpayers flexibility when evacuations, property damage, business interruption, displacement, lost records or restricted access interfere with tax obligations. It is a request to Treasury, not an announced federal tax-deadline change.
The release identifies Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Okanogan, Spokane, Stevens and Yakima counties, along with the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and the Spokane Tribe of Indians.
State and federal response
Washington has also issued state-level relief measures related to the wildfires. The governor’s office says a federal emergency declaration has already supported response functions, while additional forms of disaster assistance follow different review processes.
Sources and reporting
This article is based on the Washington governor’s Aug. 20 release on the federal tax-relief request.
