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Tax Relief for California Earthquake Victims

NAPA, Calif. — Victims of the earthquake that occurred Aug. 24, 2014 in parts of California may qualify for tax relief from the Internal Revenue Service.

Following recent disaster declarations for individual assistance issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the IRS announced today that affected taxpayers in California will receive tax relief.

The President has declared Napa and Solano counties a federal disaster area. Individuals who reside or have a business in these counties may qualify for tax relief.

The declaration permits the IRS to postpone certain deadlines for taxpayers who reside or have a business in the disaster area. For instance, certain deadlines falling on or after Aug. 24, 2014 and on or before Jan. 15, 2015, have been postponed through Jan. 15, 2015. This includes corporations and businesses that previously obtained an extension until Sept. 15, 2014, to file their 2013 returns and individuals and businesses that received a similar extension until Oct. 15. It also includes the estimated tax payment for the third quarter of 2014, which would normally be due Sept. 15.

If an affected taxpayer receives a penalty notice from the IRS, the taxpayer should call the […]

By |2020-09-03T20:05:43+00:00October 30th, 2014|earthquake, relief|0 Comments

Casualty Loss Deductions for Natural Disasters

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As a California resident, most of us probably know someone who has suffered some kind of property loss courtesy of an earthquake. The recent Napa earthquake that shook the North Bay is a good reminder that many might be eligible to claim a casualty deduction for your property loss if you suffer property damage during the tax year as a result of a sudden, unexpected or unusual event (such as a flood, hurricane, tornado, fire, earthquake or even volcanic eruption. A casualty does not include normal wear and tear or progressive deterioration.). The casualty deduction is also available if you are the victim of vandalism.

Generally, you may deduct casualty and theft losses relating to your home, household items and vehicles on your federal income tax return. You may not deduct casualty and theft losses covered by insurance unless you file a timely claim for reimbursement, and you reduce the loss by the amount of any reimbursement or expected reimbursement.

If your property is personal-use property or is not completely destroyed, the amount of your casualty loss is the lesser of:

  • The adjusted basis of your property, or
  • The decrease in fair market value of […]
By |2020-09-03T20:05:44+00:00October 21st, 2014|casualty loss, deduction, earthquake|0 Comments
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