Information has come out of Governor Greg Abbott’s office about tax relief for victims of Hurricane Harvey and for first responders working in the affected counties. Business tax return filing extensions: The Texas Comptroller of Accounts may grant an extension of up to 90 days to a business affected by a declared disaster. The comptroller manages requests on a case-by-case basis. Taxpayers may call the tax assistance line at 800-252-5555 to request an extension or to obtain more information. Hotel taxes: Texas is granting state and local hotel occupancy tax waivers for evacuees and relief workers. The waiver period runs from August 23rd and September 6th, 2017. The waiver specifically applies to individuals with a home address in a county mentioned in Gov. Abbott’s declared disaster area and to relief workers who are within the confines of one of those counties. Taxpayers who wish to file a claim for the waiver should present the hotel manager with Form 12-302, Texas Hotel Occupancy Tax Exemption Certificate. Taxpayers and relief workers should mark the form box “Exempt by Other Federal or State Law” and should write “Hurricane Harvey” anywhere on the form. https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/hotel/forms/ Sales taxes: Texas is also authorizing temporary exemptions from sales tax for purchases related to a declared natural disaster. Labor service charges are exempt from the tax when the charges relate to: ●Repairing or restoring nonresidential real property; ●Repairing or restoring personal property (e.g., furniture); ●Cutting down damaged tree branches; ●Cutting up damaged trees. Texas is also authorizing temporary exemptions from sales tax for purchases related to a declared natural disaster.… Read More