IRS Announces Additional Agreements to Assist Disaster Victims

WASHINGTON -- The Internal Revenue Service announced Wednesday that additional tax professional organizations have agreed to partner with it to provide assistance to taxpayers at local disaster recovery centers established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), according to a press release.

The National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA) and the American Association of Attorney-Certified Public Accountants (AAA-CPA) are the latest organizations to join IRS employees in staffing disaster recovery centers and assisting taxpayers affected by Hurricane Katrina. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) signed a similar agreement with the IRS earlier this month.

“These partnerships will provide important help to taxpayers who need assistance after the hurricane,” said IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson.

When the President designates an area to receive federal disaster assistance, FEMA opens local disaster recovery centers where individuals and businesses may register for disaster aid. IRS assigns employees to staff these local centers to provide tax assistance to taxpayers. Currently, employees and volunteers are providing tax assistance in dozens of FEMA sites.

Assistance includes aiding with the preparation of tax returns and claims, providing copies of transcripts and returns, distributing disaster relief kits and answering questions about casualty losses and other issues.

-- NYSSCPA.org News Staff

Posted on 9/22/05