10/13/2005
How Hurricane Victims Can Claim Tax Deductions or Losses
by IRS
You may deduct the loss or partial loss of your home, household goods, and motor vehicles from hurricane damage on your individual federal income tax return. If you paid taxes in 2004, you can choose to deduct your loss on a Form 1040X (Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return) for 2004 instead of waiting to file your 2005 return. This will allow you to receive a refund of some or all of the taxes paid on your 2004 return.
What this means to you…
If you filed a 2004 federal income tax return and paid federal taxes:
o You may be able to file an amended return now (or wait until next year) to claim your loss and receive a refund of the amount of taxes paid.
o You need to itemize using Form 1040 Schedule A.
To claim your losses …
• Make a list of everything you owned and lost
• Determine its original cost (or adjusted basis)
• Determine the fair market value of each item (This is the amount it could have been sold for just before the hurricane.)
• Determine the present value – after the hurricane
To take advantage of casualty losses and to assist you through this process…
• Get Publication 2194 “Disaster Loss Kit” for individuals or Publication 2194B “Disaster Loss Kit” for businesses.
• Get computer generated copies of your last year’s tax return from the IRS.
• IRS can assist with preparing your amended tax returns.
For assistance and additional information:
• IRS Disaster Assistance Hotline – 1-866-562-5227
(Monday – Friday from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm local time),
• Visit the website at www.irs.gov or
• Contact a tax professional
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