Taxpayers can get tax help after hurricanes and other natural disasters

Each year, hurricanes and other natural disasters leave widespread damage in their wake. In addition to property losses, disasters can have an effect on victims’ taxes. The IRS wants taxpayers to know that when a disaster strikes, the agency is here to help.

Here are some resources taxpayers can find on IRS.gov:

• Around the Nation. The Around the Nation page provides local tax news, including disaster relief information for specific areas.
• Disaster declarations. The Tax Relief in Disaster Situations page of IRS.gov has a list of the latest disaster declarations and any disaster-related tax relief.
• Tax information about federally declared disasters. Special tax law provisions apply when the federal government declares a major disaster area. This relief can help victims recover financially after a disaster.
• Information about faster refunds. Taxpayers may be able to get a faster refund from losses suffered in a federally-declared disaster area. Taxpayers can claim losses related to a disaster on the tax return for the previous year. They claim the loss by filing an amended return.
• Disaster relief resources. The IRS has many resources to help charities that provide disaster relief. There is also information on the Disaster Relief Resources for Charities and Contributors page for business and individual taxpayers who donate to charitable organizations.

Additional resources:

• Help for victims of Hurricane Michael
• Help for victims of Hurricane Florence

More information:

• Publication 2194, Disaster Resource Guide for Individuals and Businesses
• Publication 584, Casualty, Disaster, and Theft Loss Workbook
• Publication 584-B, Business Casualty, Disaster, and Theft Loss Workbook
• Reconstructing Your Records