Tornado victims given more time to file state, federal taxes

FORREST COUNTY and LAMAR COUNTY — The IRS and Mississippi Department of Revenue have granted tax-filing extensions to victims of the destructive Feb. 10 tornado that hit the Hattiesburg area.

The Hattiesburg American reports residents of Forrest and Lamar counties who were impacted by the tornado have until April 30 to file their taxes this year — a little more than two weeks past the usual April 15 deadline.

President Barack Obama signed a disaster declaration on Feb. 13 for Forrest and Lamar counties, making the area eligible for federal aid and allowing the IRS to postpone certain deadlines for taxpayers who reside or have a business in the disaster area.

IRS spokesman Mark Green said affected residents should indicate in the top upper corner of their tax returns that they were victims of the storm.