U.S. agencies offer aid to Superstorm Sandy victims

Several U.S. government agencies are offering assistance to those affected by Superstorm Sandy.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is offering special tax relief and assistance to individual and businesses in designated disaster areas affected by the storm, according to ADA News.

The IRS expects to grant additional filing and payment relief as qualifying disaster declarations are issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The IRS and FEMA notices include relief for taxpayers in specified areas of Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York. Additional relief information will be posted on the Tax Relief in Disaster Situations page at irs.gov.

Other IRS notices offer information about special relief for employers to encourage leave donation programs for storm-affected employees and warn charitable donors to beware of scams.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) website offers resources to help rebuild businesses or homes. Disaster loan applications are available for homeowners, renters, businesses, and private, nonprofit organizations.

SBA notices in the November 14 Federal Register include information on interest rates and application deadlines for physical and economic injury loans in storm-affected areas in Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island.