Montgomery, April 10, 1998--State Revenue Commissioner H.E. "Gene" Monroe Jr. issued an order April 10, 1998, granting automatic Alabama filing extensions to taxpayers in Jefferson, St. Clair, and Tuscaloosa counties who suffered property damage and/or personal injury as a result of tornadoes which struck those areas on April 8, 1998.

"Revenue, along with other state agencies, is working with Governor Fob James' office to assist storm victims and their families during this difficult time," said Mr. Monroe.

"The extension allows taxpayers with state tax liabilities to have until August 20, 1998, to file Alabama tax returns or pay taxes/fees that would have been due on or after April 15, 1998, and before August 20, 1998, and remit taxes/fees without being subject to penalties and discount loss," he explained. "Prior extensions already granted for Alabama income tax returns, originally due April 15, 1998, cannot be extended beyond Oct. 15, 1998."

The Revenue Department advises those affected taxpayers to identify their returns/reports by writing "Tornado Disaster" on any return/report which relies on this filing extension relief.

For more information concerning Alabama filing extensions, contact the following Revenue offices below:

Franchise tax, corporate income tax, individual income tax, income tax withholding: Individual and Corporate Tax Division, Rm 4212 Gordon Persons Bldg., 50 N. Ripley St., Montgomery, AL 36132; telephone: (334) 242-1000.

Sales and use tax, Medicaid pharmaceutical services tax, Medicaid nursing facility tax, tobacco tax, motor carrier mileage tax, motor fuel tax, oil and gas severance tax, forest products' severance tax, coal severance tax, wholesale oil license fee, storage tank trust fund charge, hazardous waste fee, and pari-mutuel pool tax: Sales, Use and Business Tax Division, Rm 4303 Gordon Persons Bldg., 50 N. Ripley St., Montgomery, AL 36132; telephone (334) 242-1490; Use Tax, (334) 242-1340; Business Tax (334) 242-9602.