September 30, 2020 3:15 a.m.

The Oregon Department of Revenue will provide relief to victims of the Oregon wildfires and straight-line winds.

An ODR release said impacted individuals and households that reside or have a business in Douglas, and seven other counties impacted by the fires, are eligible for the relief. Taxpayers in localities added later to the individual assistance disaster areas, as designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, will be eligible to receive the same relief.

For victims of the wildfires and straight-line winds, any penalty and interest imposed for late filing or late payment related to due dates that fall on or after September 7th of this year and before January 15th of 2021, will be waived if people file and pay by January 15th of next year. Those who receive a billing or adjustment notice from the department related to a late filing or late payment caused by the disaster situation, can follow the instructions in the notice to request a waiver of penalty and interest.

Affected taxpayers who need to obtain copies of Oregon tax records will be able to receive replacements free of charge. To obtain copies of critical tax records on file with the department, call 800-356-4222.

Those who need to update their account information, such as addresses and phone numbers, can call the same number or can go to www.oregon.gov/dor to submit a change of address form.

The release said taxpayers should not skip or reduce current payments. Those who are unable to pay their debt in full can resolve outstanding debt and avoid automated collection by arranging a payment agreement with the department.

Details on the federal relief can be found at www.irs.gov/newsroom under the topic of “Tax Relief in Disaster Situations”.