On Monday, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) announced that IRS extended the tax deadline for most California taxpayers to Nov. 16, 2023.

Following last winter’s natural disasters, the IRS had originally extended the deadline to today, Oct. 16.

“Our state has been ground zero for significant climate events that have significantly harmed our communities,” said Thompson. “The tax deadline extension announced by the IRS is going to provide additional time for California taxpayers to file their taxes. This is a positive step after Rep. Doug LaMalfa, Rep. Kevin Kiley, and I urged the IRS to extend the filing deadline.

“I am focused on using this additional time to get my legislation to exempt PG&E Fire Victims Trust payments from taxes passed out of the House, through the Senate, and signed into law by President Biden. Wildfire survivors should not pay taxes on these settlements, and the extension provides valuable time to pass the bill.”

Thanks to this extension, most individuals and businesses in California will now have until Nov. 16 to file their 2022 returns and pay any tax due.

IRS relief is based on three different FEMA disaster declarations covering severe winter storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides over a period of several months.

The IRS normally provides relief, including postponing various tax filing and payment deadlines, for any area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA.

As long as their address of record is in a disaster-area locality, individual and business taxpayers automatically get the extra time, without having to ask for it. The current list of eligible localities is always available on the disaster relief page on IRS.gov.

What returns and payments qualify for the Nov. 16 deadline?

Eligible returns and payments include:

• 2022 individual income tax returns and payments normally due on April 18.
• For eligible taxpayers, 2022 contributions to IRAs and health savings accounts.
• Quarterly estimated tax payments normally due on April 18, June 15 and Sept. 15.
• Calendar-year 2022 partnership and S corporation returns normally due on March 15.
• Calendar-year 2022 corporate and fiduciary income tax returns and payments normally due on April 18.
• Quarterly payroll and excise tax returns normally due on May 1, July 31 and Oct. 31.
• Calendar-year 2022 returns filed by tax-exempt organizations normally due on May 15.

Other returns, payments and time-sensitive tax-related actions also qualify for the extra time. See the IRS disaster relief page for details.

Do taxpayers need to do anything to benefit from this relief?

The IRS automatically provides filing and penalty relief to any taxpayer with an IRS address of record located in the disaster area. Therefore, taxpayers do not need to contact the agency to get this relief.

It is possible an affected taxpayer may not have an IRS address of record located in the disaster area, for example, because they moved to the disaster area after filing their return. In these kinds of unique circumstances, the affected taxpayer could receive a late filing or late payment penalty notice from the IRS for the postponement period. The taxpayer should call the number on the notice to have the penalty abated.

In addition, the IRS will work with any taxpayer who lives outside the disaster area but whose records necessary to meet a deadline occurring during the postponement period are located in the affected area. Taxpayers qualifying for relief who live outside the disaster area need to contact the IRS at 866-562-5227. This also includes workers assisting the relief activities who are affiliated with a recognized government or philanthropic organization.

Thompson represents California’s Fourth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Lake, Napa, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo counties.

SHINGLETOWN, Calif. — Five students from Middletown High School participated recently in the 2023 Shasta Forestry Challenge, one group of a total of 95 high school students from 15 schools from northern and central California.

The event took place Sept. 27 to 30 at Mountain Meadows Camp, east of Shingletown, California.

One of the highlights for the students this year was the opportunity to evaluate fuel reduction treatments at Noble Demonstration State Forest.

Students will collect data and determine if the treated areas are compliant with state standards for shaded fuel breaks.

During the challenge, teams of students also completed a field test to assess their technical forestry knowledge and data collecting skills.

Alyssa Judson, a sophomore at Middletown High School summed it up as follows: “It’s a good program to see what forestry is really about. They show you the science behind it and the meaning of what a forester does.”

LAKEPORT, Calif. — The Rotary Club of Lakeport has announced an exciting lineup of speakers for its October meetings.

This esteemed group of presenters will cover a wide range of topics, providing valuable insights and information to the community.

The Rotary Club of Lakeport invites members, guests, and the public to join these engaging discussions, all held at O'Meara Brothers Brewery, 901 Bevins St., Lakeport, at noon on the first, second and third Wednesdays of the month.

Oct. 11: Katie Karns, Local Food Bank and Volunteering Report. Join the Rotary on Oct. 11 as they welcome Karns, who will deliver a comprehensive report on the local food bank and volunteering opportunities in Lakeport. Karns will shed light on the critical role of the food bank in addressing food insecurity in our community and share inspiring stories of volunteering experiences. Discover how you can make a difference right here in Lakeport.

Oct. 18: Tim Stephens, Sutter Lakeside Hospital CEO update. On Oct. 18, the Roary will welcome Stephens, who will provide an insightful update on the latest developments and initiatives at Sutter Lakeside Hospital. Learn about the hospital's commitment to healthcare excellence and its vital role in ensuring the well-being of our community.

The Rotary Club of Lakeport encourages all interested individuals to attend these informative sessions.

These presentations align with the club's dedication to community service, education, and fostering connections to create positive change.

The Rotary Club of Lakeport is a dynamic organization committed to making a difference in the Lakeport community and beyond.

Through a network of passionate volunteers, the club initiates projects that address pressing issues, supports local causes and promotes fellowship among members.

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a bill from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that allows the continuation of an important fundraising tool for nonprofits — 50-50 raffles at major league sports stadiums.

“Over the years, these raffles have raised millions for a diverse group of charitable organizations throughout the state,” Sen. Dodd said. “They provide an important funding tool for a host of organizations benefiting youth and the underserved. With the governor’s signature on this new law, we can ensure that continues.”

In California, a key fundraiser for nonprofits has been the 50-50 raffle, in which 50% of the proceeds go to a winner and 50% go back to the hosting organization. Since the creation of 50-50 raffles, the San Francisco Giants Community Fund, for example, has been able to serve over 150,000 youths with 30,000 kids benefiting annually.

However, the law allowing these raffles is about to expire.

Senate Bill 650 removes the Jan. 1, 2024 sunset so professional sports teams and sports organizations can continue to provide millions of dollars in charitable funding to worthy philanthropic organizations.

SB 650 is supported by numerous organizations, including professional sports teams such as the San Francisco Giants and Golden State Warriors. It received overwhelming support in the Legislature before it was signed by the governor on Saturday.

“The 50 50 raffle has allowed us to expand the reach of our program,” Amy Tovar, general counsel for the Giants, testified at a recent Senate committee hearing. “This has been a complete game-changer for the Giants community.”

Dodd represents the 3rd Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Solano, Yolo, Sonoma, Contra Costa, and Sacramento counties. You can learn more about the district and Senator Dodd at www.sen.ca.gov/dodd.

LAKEPORT, Calif. — Sponsoring Survivorship will hold its run walk benefit event on Saturday, Oct. 7.

The run and walk starts at the Silveira Community Center in the 500 block of N. Main St. and travels north on Main Street to North High Street to the Elks Lodge at 3775 Lakeshore Blvd. before returning to the starting point.

There will be walkers and runners along the roadways.

Please drive with caution in the area. Emergency vehicles will be patrolling the route for safety.

Officials urge the community to ome out and support the event.

LAKEPORT, Calif. — The city of Lakeport has released its fall 2023 weekly street sweeping schedule.

The schedule began on Oct. 2 and affects areas inside the Lakeport city limit boundaries.

Streets will be swept as follows.

MONDAYS: Clear Lake Avenue to north city limit boundary.

TUESDAYS: First Street to south city limit boundary including the Esplanade neighborhood, Lupoyoma Heights, Lakeport Boulevard and Parallel Drive.

WEDNESDAYS: Second Street to Clear Lake Avenue.

THURSDAYS: Main Street and downtown areas. Additional streets as needed and any streets that were missed earlier in the week.

FRIDAYS: Streets that were missed plus any areas needing special attention. There is no street sweeping every other Friday.

Reminders:

• Blowing leaves into the street is acceptable, but do not put them in piles as the street sweeper cannot sweep up piles of leaves. The city encourages residents to utilize their weekly green waste service.

• The street sweeper will not operate on Oct. 9, Nov. 9, Nov. 22 to 24, or Dec. 22, 2023, through Jan. 1, 2024.

• The city of Lakeport street sweeping schedule will remain in effect for the fall season only. The city’s sweeper also operates on an “as needed” basis at other times to maintain city streets when leaves and debris accumulate.

Please be advised that there may be minor interruptions to the schedule due to workloads and staff availability.

Please contact the Public Works office at 707-263-3578 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with questions.