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‘National Disaster Relief Act’ May Offer Tax Breaks to Affected Colorado Flood Homeowners

National Disaster Relief Act: Tax Relief for Victims of Federally declared DisastersMany homeowner’s whose houses were flooded, damaged, or destroyed in the Colorado floods are learning that their standard homeowner’s insurance DOES NOT COVER FLOODS. You must have separate flood insurance and there are several hoops to jump through for this.

However, here is some good news. The IRS calls the property damage and destruction resulting from  unexpected calamities (floods, fires, and storms to vandalism or even terrorist attacks, etc) casualty losses.  For many home owners, casualty losses can be tax deductible but some special rules apply.

Calculating casualty losses

To figure your loss, the IRS requires you to determine the fair value of your personal property. Personal property could be anything from a big-screen TV to an entire house. Here’s a simplified way to calculate your deduction:

  • Once you place a value on the personal property, subtract any reimbursements received, such as an insurance settlement.
  • From that amount, you subtract $100, a requirement known as the $100 rule.
  • Then you subtract 10% of your adjusted gross income (the 10% rule).
  • What remains is your deductible loss.

In reality, filing for casualty losses can be more complex, warns Phillip L. Liberatore, a CPA in La Miranda, Calif. Everything from your income level to how you value your property can affect deductions. Read IRS Publication 547 and consult a tax adviser.

For Hurricane Katrina victims, the Fed eliminated the 10% rule. Legislation has also been introduced for victims of Superstorm Sandy.

Replacement value vs. casualty loss deductions

A common misconception about casualty loss deductions is that they equate to the property’s replacement value. Not so. The amount you can deduct is the lesser of the property’s decreased value or its adjusted basis.

Say you bought a Persian rug for $20,000. Years later it’s stolen, but had risen in value to $50,000. The starting point is $20,000, the adjusted basis, because that’s the lesser of the two amounts. To calculate the deduction, subtract $100 from $20,000, which is $19,900, and then reduce that amount by 10% of your AGI. That’s your deduction.

On the other hand, say you bought a piece of furniture for $50,000. Years later it’s depreciated in value to $20,000 and it’s destroyed or stolen. Your starting point is $20,000, the deprecated value. To calculate the deduction, apply the $100 and 10% rules. What’s left is your allowable deduction.

Tax breaks for declared disasters

Although the term “disaster area” is often used casually, an official disaster declaration can only be made by the president through a formal process. When the president declares a disaster, taxpayers are eligible for additional relief. The president HAS named certain areas “disaster areas” from the Colorado floods but more info should be available soon. As of the time of this post the details and locations are not known officially.

You can claim disaster losses suffered in 2013 on your 2013 tax return or on your 2012 return, whichever is more advantageous. You’ll need to file an amended return if you decide to apply them to 2012. Use Form 4684 to figure your disaster loss and report it on Schedule A.

Here’s how it would work:

Hurricanes prompt the president to issue a disaster area declaration for Joe Carson’s county. Joe’s home suffers $25,000 in noninsured damage. His AGI is $60,000 for 2012 and was $40,000 for 2011. If Joe claims the loss on his return for 2012, the allowable deduction is $18,900 ($25,000 minus $100 to $24,900, then reduced by the 10% rule to $18,900).

But if Joe claims the loss on his 2011 return, his deduction increases by $2,000 to $20,900 ($25,000 reduced by the $100 rule to $24,900, then reduced by the 10% rule to $20,900). Claiming the loss in 2011 trims the tax tab by an additional $300 in Joe’s 15% tax bracket, plus applicable state income taxes.

Tax professionals have said the IRS usually extends deadlines, such as due dates for estimated tax payments, for taxpayers in federally declared disaster areas. For example, victims of the tsunami that hit American Samoa on Sept. 29, 2009, were given a three-month extension to Dec. 28.

FEMA keeps a list of major disaster declarations and emergency declarations that are eligible for favorable tax treatment. When in doubt, check with FEMA or call the IRS disaster hotline at 1-866-562-5227.

Take disaster deductions wisely

Returns with large casualty losses often have a high rate of audit, so it’s important to document your deductions. Keep careful records, including photos, receipts, and insurance claim reports.

If you opt for professional tax help, fees can range from $500 to $3,000, depending on the complexity of the casualty claim. Figure it could take up to a week of your time to assemble documentation and fill out paperwork. I have a great CPA I use – his name is BJ McGraw w/ McGraw McGraw CPA. 303-427-6641×26. Tell him Mike referred you to him.

Your state taxes can also be affected by disaster losses. How and by how much varies from state to state, and usually depends on the severity and scope of a disaster. The best resource for information is the Colorado Department of Revenue.

This article provides general information about tax laws and consequences, but shouldn’t be relied upon as tax or legal advice applicable to particular transactions or circumstances. Consult a tax professional for such advice

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