ASCPA received several concerns regarding CPAs and those Alabama taxpayers needing relief due to Hurricane Helene. These concerns were immediately passed along to the Alabama Department of Revenue (ALDOR). We have been assured the department has discussed and considered these concerns and, although ALDOR respects ASCPA’s advocacy, the department will not be amending its relief to mirror the federal relief. ALDOR stands by its decision that case-by-case relief is best for Alabama. ALDOR will grant requests for additional assistance or penalty waivers for those needing such relief due to the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene.

Important clarifications:

1. ALDOR is granting case-by-case relief for any individuals or businesses that are unable to timely file due to Helene. In inquiring about what constitutes a damage or disruption sufficient for relief, ALDOR suggests CPAs speak with their clients about any need for an additional time extension and inquire if the delay in filing/paying/or being able to prepare the return would have occurred but for Hurricane Helene. ALDOR’s press release used general verbiage to allow for broad relief under a myriad of different circumstances. ALDOR acknowledges CPAs know best how the weather system impacted taxpayers/clients in some more indirect ways as Alabama was lucky enough not to receive any direct hit, massive flooding, excessive winds, or prolonged power outages across wide areas like many other states.  ALDOR is allowing case-by-case relief because we recognize the interconnectedness of issues regarding tax preparation and ultimate filing.

• A CPA/taxpayer may reach out to the appropriate division regarding the tax type for which a client is seeking relief. The best contact numbers are listed in our press release. The division will mark the account for the taxpayer seeking relief that a call was made and memorializing the reason for the needed relief.  Additionally, ALDOR asks that you send in a Form PWR as ALDOR will manually remove penalties and the like from an account for which relief was needed due to Helene.