The IRS generally is able to automatically identify taxpayers who live in an area that has been granted a filing or payment extension for reasons such as this. But -- that doesn't always work. Your mailing address on your return may not be in a covered area, but you live in a covered area, for instance.
If you qualify for late-filing or late-payment relief due to a disaster declaration but you still receive notice of a penalty, then it is extremely important that you call the number given on that notice as soon as possible to notify them that you qualified for relief. The IRS will then update their records and, if you do in fact qualify, penalties will be abated (removed).
The IRS issued a press release about this disaster relief -- you can find it here: IRS announces tax relief for taxpayers impacted by severe storms and flooding in San Diego, Californ...
Note that you have an automatic extension to file many tax returns to June 17. But, if you need an extension beyond that and did not already request one, then you must request that extension on paper. The electronic filing system isn't set up to allow extension requests to be posted after the original deadline.
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-- KimberW
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