Disasterassistance.gov
Listo.gov
The Internal Revenue Service reminded taxpayers today that May includes National Hurricane
Preparedness Week and is National Wildfire Awareness Month . This is a good time to create or
review an emergency preparedness plan, including steps to protect important tax-related
information.
In 2021, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) declared major disasters following
hurricanes, tropical storms, tornados, severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides and
mudslides, wildfires and winter storms. Given the impact these events can have on individuals,
organizations and businesses, now is the time to make or update an emergency plan. The
following tips are intended to help taxpayers prepare for a natural disaster.
Secure key documents and make copies
Taxpayers should place original documents such as tax returns, birth certificates, deeds, titles and
insurance policies inside waterproof containers in a secure space. Duplicates of these documents
should be kept with a trusted person outside the area of the taxpayer. Scanning them for backup
storage on electronic media such as a flash drive is another option that provides security and
portability.
Document valuables and equipment
Current photos or videos of a home or business’s contents can help support claims for insurance
or tax benefits after a disaster. All property, especially expensive and high value items, should be
recorded. The IRS disaster-loss workbooks in Publication 584 can help individuals and businesses
compile lists of belongings or business equipment.
Employers should check fiduciary bonds
Employers who use payroll service providers should ask the provider if it has a fiduciary bond in
place. The bond could protect the employer in the event of default by the payroll service provider.
The IRS reminds employers to carefully choose their payroll service providers.
Rebuilding documents
Reconstructing records after a disaster may be required for tax purposes, getting federal
assistance or insurance reimbursement. Those who have lost some or all their records during a
disaster can visit IRS’s Reconstructing Records webpage as one of their first steps.
IRS stands ready to help
After FEMA issues a disaster declaration, the IRS may postpone certain tax-filing and tax-payment
deadlines for taxpayers who reside or have a business in the disaster area. There is no need to call
the IRS to request this relief. The IRS automatically identifies taxpayers located in the covered
disaster area and applies filing and payment relief. Those impacted by a disaster with tax-related
questions can contact the IRS at 866-562-5227 to speak with an IRS specialist trained to handle
disaster-related issues.
Taxpayers who do not reside in a covered disaster area but suffered impact from a disaster should
call 866-562-5227 to find out if they qualify for disaster tax relief and to discuss other available
options.
Find complete disaster assistance and emergency relief details for both individuals and businesses
on our Around the Nation webpage on IRS.gov. The FEMA Prepare for Disasters webpage includes
information to Build a Kit of emergency supplies.
Related items:
Publication 547, Casualties, Disasters, and TheftsPDF
Publication 583, Starting a Business and Keeping Records
FS-2017-11, Reconstructing Records After a Natural Disaster or Casualty Loss
Small Business Administration
DisasterAssistance.gov
Ready.gov
