The Inland Revenue Department is looking at ways to extend tax deadlines to make it easier for quake-stricken Canterbury businesses.
Commissioner Bob Russell sayssays it may be impossible for businesses or people affected by the Canterbury quakes to meet their deadlines.
He says the IRD is looking to extend the income tax filing deadline of 31 March, and giving more time for firms to make some decisions such as writing off bad debts.
Mr Russell is hopeful the department will be able to report back to the Revenue Minister, Peter Dunne, shortly.
Meanwhile, he says the Christchurch situation is putting pressure on the department itself, which has about 800 employees in Christchurch, most of whom are not yet able to return to work.
The IRD building is inside the cordon, he says, though quite a number of people are working from other locations. Offices in locations outside Christchurch are also picking up work.
