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Tax Relief Available For California Fire Victims

MALIBU (CBSLA) – Residents affected by the Woolsey Fire and other wildfires across California can qualify for tax relief under the federal government's major disaster declaration for the state, the Internal Revenue Service announced Tuesday.

The tax-relief program is available to affected residents in Los Angeles, Ventura and Butte counties.

RELATED: Woolsey And Hill Fires: Evacuations, Road Closures And School Closures

The emergency declaration will give residential or business taxpayers additional time for select tax filings due before April 30, 2019. The deadline for such filings -- such as individual tax returns and payments normally due on April 15 and estimated tax payments due on Jan. 15 and April 15 – will be extended to April 30, 2019.

The IRS will also waive penalties on payroll and excise tax deposits as long as the deposits are made by Nov. 23.

Affected taxpayers are automatically identified within the covered disaster area, but affected taxpayers who live or have a business outside the area should call the IRS disaster hotline at 866-562-5227.

Those who wish to help those affected by the fires can find information on donations, housing assistance, care for animals and more here.

CBS2 and KCAL9 are teaming up with the Los Angeles Rams and the United Way to help raise money for victims of the recent fires in Ventura and L.A. counties. The devastating Woolsey Fire has destroyed hundreds of homes and killed at least two people, and the Hill Fire has scorched thousands of acres nearby.

CBSLA is holding a day-long fundraiser Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. You can donate now at cbsla.com/cbslahelps.

(© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. City News Service contributed to this report.)

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