CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Secretary of State Mac Warner said he’s going to give business owners three additional days to file their annual reports and avoid late fees.
Warner said he decided to extend the July 1 deadline to 11:59 p.m. July 3 after this week’s tornado in Charleston impacted the electrical service at the state capitol which impacted his office’s computer systems.
“Because we were out for at least a day and then intermittent, we are going to waive those late fees,” Warner said.
Monday’s tornado hit just south of the state capitol and according to the National Weather Service dissipated close to the capitol. A block just east of the building had six power poles destroyed by the wind. All service was restored in Kanawha County by Friday evening.
Warner is urging business owners and organizations not to procrastinate until the new extended deadline to get the reports filed.
“People should not wait, go ahead and get your renewals in. But if you do experience difficulties and have to wait until July 1 or 2 we won’t enforcing the penalties for a couple of day,” Warner said.
All 117,000 for-profit, charity and non-profit entities conducting business in West Virginia are required to file an annual report with the Secretary of State’s Office.
The fine for a late filing is $50.