FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Contact: Rick Clayburgh, Tax Commissioner 701-328-2770
April 4, 2003	Jill Weigel, Supervisor of Individual Income Tax, 701-328-3277

Clayburgh Provides Extensions for North Dakota Active Duty Military

BISMARCK --- Tax Commissioner Rick Clayburgh announced today that North Dakota's military personnel called to active duty in a combat zone are eligible for a special extension of the April 15 filing and payment due date for their income taxes.

"We've received a number of calls from family members of the military who are concerned about tax filing," said Clayburgh. "We've even had e-mail from our military stationed in the Middle East about this very issue which shows how deeply committed our military are to our nation and to North Dakota."

Federal tax law provides that personnel serving in a combat zone have 180 days after their last day of service in the zone to file their federal tax return. If hospitalized due to serving in a combat zone, they have 180 days after the last day of continuous hospitalization.

The special filing deadline under federal tax law is recognized by North Dakota tax law. North Dakota's military personnel serving in a combat zone have until the special federal due date to file their North Dakota income tax returns without penalty and interest. This filing payment relief applies to members of the regular U.S. Armed Forces, and to those Reserve and National Guard members called to active duty in a combat zone. Generally, this relief also applies to the members' spouses.

Clayburgh said, "I'm glad we can do this because it's important to support our military in whatever way we can. Their service in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other combat zones is a priority. The last thing they should be concerned with at this time is whether or not their tax return is filed on time."

For more information on due dates and extensions for the military visit the Tax Department's Web site at www.nd.gov/tax, or contact the Tax Department at 1-800-638-2901. The IRS also provides information on Armed Forces Benefits, including combat zones, on their Web site at www.irs.gov and click on Armed Forces Tax Benefit in the lower right side of the page, or contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.