Press Releases

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett released the following statement announcing that the IRS has granted her request to extend the time period in which residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) dislocated by Hurricanes Irma and Maria may retain their USVI residency through May 31, 2018:

“The disaster day policy issued by the IRS on October 4, 2017 provided relief to individuals who would otherwise qualify as bona fide residents of the USVI but for their need to leave (or inability to return to) the territory as a result of Hurricanes Irma or Maria. Under the policy, these individuals were allowed to retain their USVI tax residency through December 31, 2017. Today, I am pleased to announce that the IRS has granted my request to extend this relief through May 31, 2018. Without this extension, many people who had planned to return to the USVI would have been required to file their income taxes as U.S. mainland residents even if they have a home and close connection to the territory.

“With this important decision the Federal Government continues to serve a critical and ongoing role in supporting the people of the Virgin Islands as we recover from the destruction caused by Hurricane Irma and Maria. This extension of the disaster day policy period will be especially helpful for families with children in school to be able to serve out the remainder of the school year without disruption to their education. I appreciate the IRS making this decision to my request in a timely manner.”