New York City Disaster Assistance Update – March 13, 2013
http://www.nyc.gov/html/index.html
New Information: IRS Extends Tax Relief to Some New Jersey and New York Victims of Hurricane Sandy; Return Filing and Tax Payment Deadline Extended to April 1, 2013
WASHINGTON –– In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, the Internal Revenue Service announced additional tax relief to affected individuals and businesses. The IRS today is further extending tax deadlines of that relief until April 1 for the following localities:
· In New Jersey (starting Oct. 26): Monmouth and Ocean counties.
· In New York (starting Oct. 27): Nassau, Queens, Richmond and Suffolk counties.
Beyond the relief provided by law to taxpayers in the FEMA-designated counties, the IRS will work with any taxpayer who resides outside the disaster area but whose books, records or tax professional are located in the areas affected by Hurricane Sandy. All workers assisting the relief activities in the covered disaster areas who are affiliated with a recognized government or philanthropic organization are eligible for relief. Taxpayers who live outside of the impacted area and think they may qualify for this relief need to contact the IRS at 866-562-5227.
The IRS also announced that Taxpayer Assistance Centers in several New York and New Jersey locations will be open additional hours to provide help to taxpayers impacted by Hurricane Sandy. There will also be special assistance available at several New Jersey and New York locations on Saturday, February 23 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. More information will be available on irs.gov.
The tax relief postpones various tax filing and payment deadlines that occurred starting in late October. As a result, affected individuals and businesses will have until April 1, 2013, to file these returns and pay any taxes due. This includes the fourth quarter individual estimated tax payment, normally due Jan. 15, 2013. It also includes payroll and excise tax returns and accompanying payments for the third and fourth quarters, normally due on Oct. 31, 2012 and Jan. 31, 2013 respectively, and calendar year corporate income tax returns due March 15. It also applies to tax-exempt organizations required to file Form 990 series returns with an original or extended deadline falling during this period.
The IRS will abate any interest, late-payment or late-filing penalty that would otherwise apply. The IRS automatically provides this relief to any taxpayer located in the disaster area. Taxpayers need not contact the IRS to get this relief.
The tax relief is part of a coordinated federal response to the damage caused by the hurricane and is based on local damage assessments by FEMA. For information on disaster recovery, individuals should visit disasterassistance.gov.
Welcome to NYC Housing Recovery
http://www.nyc.gov/html/housingrecov/html/home/home.shtml
New Yorkers impacted by Hurricane Sandy still face many challenges today. The storm destroyed thousands of homes and left tens of thousands more significantly damaged. This Housing Recovery site provides a centralized source of information for individuals affected by Hurricane Sandy. Information on the site includes:
· Upcoming Housing Forums and other events
· Building regulations and codes
· Short and long term housing opportunities
· Financial resources
The mission of the Housing Recovery Office is to return Sandy-impacted residents in New York City to permanent, safe and sustainable housing.
To find housing recovery information in Spanish, Russian, or Chinese, please visit the NYC Language Gateway.
If you have any questions about the Housing Recovery Office please email us or visit 311 online. You can also follow us on Twitter.
Interested in Volunteering? Please visit: NYC Service: Hurricane Sandy
This page is located on the NYC.gov Web site at
http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/em/html/home/home.shtml
Mayor Bloomberg urges all New Yorkers still without heat from Hurricane Sandy to relocate immediately. Be aware of thedangers of living in a home without heat.
New Yorkers living in communities affected by Hurricane Sandy face many challenges as they rebuild their homes and their lives. This site provides information on health issues associated with living in flood-damaged areas and around large-scale reconstruction, and on resources that are available.
Health issues:
· Advice for those living in homes without heat
· Information on how to make home repairs safely – controlling dust, removing mold, cleaning sewage backups
· Updates on outdoor air quality, andwater qualiy
· Tips for staying healthy
· Stress and Mental Health Issues
· News updates for communities affected by the hurricane
Watch Health Commissioner Thomas Farley’s message about health and safety issues for communities affected by Hurricane Sandy
Resources for residents, homeowners and food establishments:
· NYC Restoration Centers
· NYC Rapid Repairs Program
· Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance
· Restaurant Re-Opening Guidelines Following Hurricane Sandy (PDF)
· Hurricane Sandy-Emergency Guidelines for Operating a Food Service Establishment without Electrical Service (PDF)
Resources for Nonprofits Impacted by Hurricane Sandy / Top of FormBottom of Form
This page is located on the NYC.gov Web site at
http://www.nyc.gov/html/nonprofit/html/home/home.shtmlNew York City has a large nonprofit sector unmatched by any other city in size and scope of services. The nonprofit sector employs more than half a million New Yorkers, serves as a critical economic engine in many New York City neighborhoods, and provides crucial social services and enriching cultural programming to residents and visitors. The sector also comprises environmental groups and world-class educational and health care organizations that help to shape and sustain the city.
A strong nonprofit sector therefore helps to keep New York City strong.
The City is advancing a variety of initiatives to support the nonprofit sector. These include efforts to reduce costs, improve City contracting procedures, and strengthen nonprofits. This site will provide you with updates on current efforts and allow opportunities to shape reforms. You may also access helpful materials, connect with management consulting providers, and learn and share information about trainings and events.
· Find out more about the sector and the Mayor's Nonprofit Assistance Initiatives including Recovery Loan Program for Nonprofits Impacted by Hurricane Sandy
· Read the press release
Financial Assistance for Nonprofits
NYC Nonprofit Recovery Loan Program: The Mayor’s Fund to Advance NYC in partnership with a coalition of foundations has launched a $26M Nonprofit Recovery Loan Program for NYC’s nonprofits. To apply go to Fund for the City of New York: www.fcny.org and click on NYC Nonprofit Recovery Loan Program under “What’s New”.
As part of the support to NYC's nonprofits, a pro-bono legal initiative has been created with 1,400 volunteer attorneys from theLawyers Alliance for New York City will assist nonprofits in real estate; employment law; government grants and loans; operating disaster relief programs; and insurance coverage. Legal assistance can be accessed by dialing (212) 219-1800 ext. 224. All calls will be responded to within 24 hours.
The Brooklyn Community Foundation has created the Brooklyn Recovery Fund to support organizations impacted by Hurricane Sandy and operating in Brooklyn. For more information go to brooklyncommunityfoundation.org/
The Staten Island Foundation has launched the Staten Island Non-Profit Recovery Fund. For more information go to thestatenislandfoundation.org/
Philanthropy NY presents a broad listing of giving and supports at philanthropynewyork.org
Government Programs and Information
NYC Department of Small Business Services and The NYC Economic Development Corporation's Emergency Loan Fund, available for NYC-based nonprofits with less than 100 employees Link
The NYC Department of Cultural Affairs has compiled a list of resources for arts organizations and artists impacted by Hurricane SandyLink
Visit NYC.GOV for daily updates to comprehensive listing of all NYC Hurricane Sandy related response and recovery information
Donations
The Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City is accepting financial donations from organizations and individuals to support Hurricane Sandy relief efforts Donate money
Materials for the Arts, the City’s reuse center, will help impacted organizations attain donated supplies and furniture, subject to availability and need. For more information go tohttp://www.mfta.org.
To volunteer, donate goods, or donate services contact NYCService
Resource Sharing
Non-Profit Coordinating Committee (NPCC) has set up a webpage to help nonprofits share available resources. If, for example, you have temporary office space available or meeting space where an organization can gather to plan, equipment to donate, etc., let NPCC know so your resource can be publicized. Link
Businesses Impacted by Hurricane Sandy / Top of Form
Bottom of Form
This page is located on the NYC.gov Web site at
http://www.nyc.gov/html/nbat/html/home/home.shtmlFind information on the Restoration Business Acceleration Team (RBAT)hereand the Fee Relief for Business Recovery programhere.
The NYC New Business Acceleration Team (NBAT) is an initiative providing new eating and drinking (food and beverage) establishments with a streamlined program to become "kitchen ready" as quickly as possible. NBAT works to help businesses open faster by reducing the time and effort needed in order to meet basic City requirements like plan reviews and inspections. Such inspections include, but are not limited to, those conducted by:
· The New York City Fire Department (FDNY)
· The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
· The Department of Buildings (DOB)
· The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH)
Learn more about NBAT
Learn about NBAT's services
Know your rights as a business owner
Hurricane Sandy Recovery Services http://www.nyc.gov/html/sbs/nycbiz/html/home/Hurricane%20Sandy%20Recovery%20Services.shtml
New York City, including the New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) and The New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYEDC) is coordinating a set of services to help New York businesses in recovering from the effects of Hurricane Sandy. Below is an outline of available assistance and how you can access them.
Download Hurricane Sandy Business Recovery PDF.
Download Hurricane Sandy Business Recovery PDF (en español).
Download Hurricane Sandy Business Recovery PDF (中文).
Download Hurricane Sandy Business Recovery PDF (ру́сский язы́к).
If you need financial assistance:
Fee Relief for Business Recovery
The City of New York has established the NYC Restoration Business Acceleration Team (RBAT) to assist businesses affected by Superstorm Sandy by coordinating the services, permitting and inspections needed to reopen as soon as possible. To help New York City businesses impacted by Hurricane Sandy, Mayor Bloomberg signed an executive order directing City agencies to waive various fees required for rebuilding, recovery and operation of these businesses until further notice. Find out more informationhere.
Get help from the Small Business Assistance Grant Program (NEW!)
The Small Business Assistance Grant Program provides grants to help small businesses in New York City that have suffered physical damage as a result of Hurricane Sandy. The grant is offered by the New York Business Assistance Corporation (NYBAC).
· Individual Grants will range in value – up to $5,000 – and will be awarded based on such factors as need, location, eligibility and availability.
· Grants may be used for structural repairs, equipment repairs and, depending on the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy, the purchase of replacement equipment needed for business recovery.
Please see ourSmall Business Assistance Grant Program FAQandcompletethe applicationtoday. Call 311 and ask for the"Small Business Assistance Grant Program" for more information.
Get help withthe Emergency Loan Fund and the NYC Matching Grant (NEW!)
The City of New York, Goldman Sachs, and the New York Bankers Association are providing $15 millionin emergency loans to help New York City businesses damaged by Hurricane Sandy. NYC Business Solutions and the New York Business Development Corporation (NYBDC) will administer the loan program. If you are a small business in need of an emergency loan to recover from business interruption, you can now access loans of up to $25,000.Loans are interest-free for the first six months and 1% interest for the following 24 months.Businesses that are approved for a loan and have been displaced from their workplace for three weeks or more can alsoreceive up to an additional $10,000 through the NYC Matching Grant.
Please see ourEmergency Loan FAQsandNYC Matching Grant FAQs and fill outthe applicationtoday. Applications must be submitted through an NYC Business Solutions Account Manager at one of the centers listed below. For more information, you can also fill outour inquiry formor call 311 and ask for "NYC Business Emergency Loan."
Access Federal Aid Programs for Disaster Recovery
Businesses and private non-profit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2million to repair or replace disaster-related damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.To learn more about disaster loans provided by the SBA,visitsba.gov/disaster or callthe SBA hotline (1-800-659-2955) or visit anNYC Business Solutions Center.
Apply for sales tax exemptions of up to $100,000 for rebuilding materials and equipment
The New York City Industrial Development Agency will provide emergency assistance to small businesses by establishing the Hurricane Emergency Sales Tax Exemption Program (“HESTEP”). This program will provide sales tax exemptions of up to $100,000 for each affected company on purchases of building, construction and renovation materials, machinery and equipment and other items of personal property and related services needed to rebuild after the storm. Eligible businesses should obtain the HESTEP sales tax letter prior to making eligible capital expenditures. For more information, visit theEDC website. Toapply, please fill out the following HESTEP Application and email it .
Get Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) if you are self-employed
Disaster Unemployment Assistance is a Federal program that can provide payments to people who have lost work or income due to Hurricane Sandy. Self-employed entrepreneurs are eligible if their business was damaged or destroyed, or their business income has been reduced as a direct result of the disaster.Apply forDisaster Unemployment Assistancetoday orcall 1-888-209-8124 for more information.
If you need temporary office space:
Free co-working space, supplies, and other services available for businesses impacted by Hurricane Sandy
Businesses can access desk space, power, internet and more at many locations throughout the five boroughs.You can accessa complete listing of locationstoday. If your company can donate space or other services, please visitwww.nycedc.com/canyourcompanyhelp.
Some locations include:
· Metrotech/Forest City Ratner: Ali Esmaeilzade, 718-923-5302,