September is National Preparedness Month; IRS reminds taxpayers to prepare for natural disasters

Issue Number:    IR-2023-161

WASHINGTON — September is National Preparedness Month. With the peak of hurricane season just ahead, the Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers to develop an emergency preparedness plan or, if they already have one, to update it for 2023.

Taxpayers can begin getting ready for a disaster with a preparedness plan that includes securing and duplicating essential documents, creating lists of property and knowing where to find information if needed.

In the aftermath of a disaster, having the updated documents and other information readily available can help victims apply for the relief available from the IRS and other agencies. Disaster assistance and emergency relief may help taxpayers and businesses recover financially from the impact of a disaster, especially when the federal government declares their location to be a major disaster area.

Secure key documents and make copies
Taxpayers should keep critical original documents inside water and fireproof containers in a secure space. These include tax returns, birth certificates, social security cards, deeds, titles, insurance policies and other similarly important items.

In addition, consider having a relative, friend or other trusted person keep duplicate copies of these documents at a location outside the potentially impacted disaster area.

If original documents are available on paper, they should be scanned into a digital file format and stored in a secure digital location. This can provide added security and portability.

Document valuables
Maintain a detailed inventory of the contents in your property and business. Taxpayers can take photos or videos to record their possessions and should also write down descriptions that include year and make and model numbers where appropriate.

The IRS disaster loss workbooks can help individuals and businesses compile lists of belongings or business equipment. After a disaster hits, this kind of documentation can help support claims for insurance or tax benefits.

Rebuilding records
Reconstructing records after a disaster may be required for tax purposes, getting federal assistance or insurance reimbursement. Most financial institutions can provide statements and documents electronically, an option that can aid the reconstruction process. For tips on reconstructing records, visit the IRS’ Reconstructing Records.

Employers should check fiduciary bonds
Employers using payroll service providers should check if their provider has a fiduciary bond in place to protect the employer against a possible provider default.

Most employers already use the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) to make their federal tax deposits and business tax payments. Because these payments can easily be made either by phone or online, EFTPS offers an especially convenient option when a disaster may displace businesses and their employees. It’s also easy to track tax payments and receive email alerts through EFTPS. Any business that doesn’t have an EFTPS account can create one by visiting EFTPS.gov.

IRS is ready to help
Following a federal disaster declaration, the IRS may postpone various tax filing and tax payment deadlines or provide other relief. For a list of localities qualifying for relief and details on relief available, visit the IRS Tax Relief in Disaster Situations webpage or Around the Nation on IRS.gov.

The IRS identifies taxpayers located in the covered disaster area and automatically applies filing and payment relief. This means taxpayers whose IRS address of record is located in the disaster area don’t need to contact the IRS to get disaster tax relief.

Many taxpayers living outside the disaster area may also qualify for relief. This includes those assisting with disaster relief and taxpayers whose records necessary to meet a filing or payment deadline postponed during the relief period are located in the disaster area. Eligible individuals and businesses located outside the disaster area can request relief by calling the IRS disaster hotline at 866-562-5227.

In addition, a special rule allows both individuals and businesses to choose to deduct uninsured or unreimbursed disaster losses on either the tax return for the year the disaster occurred or the return for the previous year. For more information, see Publication 547, Casualties, Disasters, and Thefts, available on IRS.gov.

End of IRS Reminder

Zaher Fallahi, Tax Controversy Defense Attorney, Tax CPA, assists taxpayers nationwide with their tax preparation, cryptocurrency tax, foreign gifts, undisclosed foreign bank accounts, and other international tax matters. Tel.: (310) 719-1040, (714) 546-4272 and (877) 687-7558 toll free nationwide. Websites: zflegal.com and zfcpa.com E-mail taxattorney@zfcpa.com