2010 Flood Victims Have Until June 30, 2011 To File For Tax Refund
Monday, June 27, 2011 | 08:00am
Nashville - Tennessee victims of strong storms and flooding in May 2010 have until June 30, 2011 to submit a claim for refund of sales taxes paid.
Individuals receiving disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a result of the flooding and severe storms that occurred in Tennessee in May 2010 may request sales tax refunds for tax on eligible items purchased between May 1, 2010 and April 30, 2011. Eligible items include purchases of furniture, household appliances, and building supplies.
“A significant number of taypayers in Tennessee were affected by severe storms and floods in 2010,” Department of Revenue Commissioner Richard H. Roberts said. “The Department of Revenue is happy to assist taxpayers in these affected areas to determine if a refund of sales taxes is appropriate and to quickly issue refunds to qualifying individuals.”
The deadline for qualified flood victims to file their claim for refund for all eligible purchases was extended to June 30, 2011 due to legislation passed in April 2011. The maximum amount of refund available to any one residence is $2,500. Individuals who have not filed a claim for refund may file an application to claim taxes paid on eligible purchases made between May 1, 2010 and April 30, 2011.
Individuals who filed a claim form on or before November 30, 2010 and not previously claimed by the individual may file one additional claim, provided their initial refund claim had not equaled the $2,500 maximum. Qualifying individuals will be refunded the difference between the amount of any initial refund received and $2,500. All purchases must be made between May 1, 2010 and April 30, 2011
All refund claims must be received by the department on or before June 30, 2011. In all cases, the amount cannot exceed $2,500. Detailed information, including a listing of qualified items is available on the Department of Revenue’s website at www.TN.gov/revenue.
The Department of Revenue is responsible for the administration of state tax laws and motor vehicle title and registration laws established by the legislature and the collection of taxes and fees associated with those laws. The Department of Revenue collects approximately 91 percent of total state tax revenue. During the 2009-2010 fiscal year, the department collected $10.1 billion in state taxes and fees. In addition to collecting state taxes, the Department of Revenue collects taxes for local, county and municipal governments. During the 2009-2010 fiscal year, local government collections by the Department of Revenue exceeded $1.9 billion. In collecting taxes, the department enforces the revenue laws fairly and impartially in an effort to encourage voluntary taxpayer compliance. The department also apportions revenue collections for distribution to the various state funds and local units of government. To learn more about the department, log on to www.TN.gov/revenue.
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