Federal agencies are providing resources and tax relief to those affected by Hurricane Ian in Florida, a reminder that ACA members must also have plans in place to protect their companies and modify consumer outreach strategies if necessary.
09/29/2022 3:15 P.M.
2 minute read
Federal resources are being allocated to areas of Florida impacted by Hurricane Ian, which has left millions without power and resulted in damaging winds and floods from the rain.
As the storm and its impacts continue, ACA International members should review their communication plans to help consumers impacted by a natural disaster, as well as their business preparedness strategy.
Internal Revenue Service Tax Relief
Those affected by Hurricane Ian will have until Feb. 15, 2023, to file various individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.
The IRS is offering relief to any area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This means that individuals and households that reside or have a business anywhere in the state of Florida qualify for tax relief. The current list of eligible localities is always available on the disaster relief page on IRS.gov.
The tax relief postpones various tax filing and payment deadlines that occurred starting on Sept. 23, 2022. As a result, affected individuals and businesses will have until Feb. 15, 2023, to file returns and pay any taxes that were originally due during this period.
Emergency Communications
The Federal Communications Commission has also made available emergency communications needs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in relation to the effects of Hurricane Ian and urges emergency communications providers to contact the FCC Operations Center for assistance.
Additionally, the FCC has released procedures for providing emergency communications in Florida counties impacted by the hurricane, with guidance on special temporary authority (STA) for wireless telecommunications and other needs in the aftermath of the storms.
ACA Resources for Businesses and Consumers
ACA encourages association units to update their disaster preparedness plan in the case of emergencies like those that occurred in Florida.
Disaster preparedness is twofold in the accounts receivable management industry—members must have plans in place to protect their companies and employees and there must be a plan for modifying communications with consumers who may be affected by a weather emergency and cannot make a payment or be reached by telephone or mail, temporarily, ACA previously reported.
Alliance ACA partner Agility Recovery also offers resources to aid member companies in emergency preparedness, including through a National Preparedness Month kit.
For more information on resources related to the storms in Florida, you can visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) website.
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