With the fires still burning and information scattered in various spots, we wanted to try and provide our clients, friends and family a comprehensive list of resources that can be shared and referenced easily. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you affected by this horrible disaster. We will continue to post new info as we get it and if you have any questions, feel free to contact us. Stay Safe.
Staying up to date or needing help:
For life-threatening emergencies, dial 911.
The County of Sonoma has county-wide information including shelters, evacuation areas and clinics.
The City of Santa Rosa has information specific to the Santa Rosa area including shelters and evacuation areas.
Please refer to local media such as KSRO.com (1350-AM or 103.5-FM), KZST.com (101.1-FM) or PressDemocrat.com.
Nixle keeps you up-to-date with relevant information from your local public safety departments. Sonoma County Sheriffs Office updates. Santa Rosa Police Department updates. To receive text updates and alerts, text your ZIP code to 888-777.
California Office of Emergency Services
Sonoma County Fire Info is an aggregator of information that includes a number of resources.
Missing persons or check in as safe:
Check in or search registrants at the Red Cross’ Safe & Well site.
Check in on Facebook on the crisis response page.
File a missing persons report by calling 707-565-3856.
Fire Recovery Business Resources
If you are a business owner or employee of a business that has been affected by the Sonoma County Fires, check Sonoma County EDB’s Fire Recovery Resources for information about your next steps.
Where to offer help:
Volunteer:
Red Cross
Red Cross is in need of volunteers to immediately assist with check-in, supply distribution and other activities as needed. If you are willing and able to volunteer sign up at:Â http://tinyurl.com/RedCrossVolOctober2017Â Â
Redwood Empire Food Bank
If you would like to volunteer with the food bank, visit: www.refb.org 3990 Brickway Blvd, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Volunteer Center of Sonoma County
If you would like to volunteer your time/expertise or donate supplies to help those affected by the fires please email the Volunteer Center: info@volunteernow.org or call: 707-573-3399. You’ll be contacted by the County of Sonoma. Website:Â www.volunteernow.org.
Donate:
Redwood Credit Union North Bay Fire Relief
Redwood Credit Union (RCU), in partnership with RCU Community Fund, The Press Democrat, and Senator Mike McGuire, is now accepting financial donations to aid relief efforts and assist victims of the 2017 North Bay fires. 100% of your tax-deductible donations will go directly to support those affected by the fires. https://www.redwoodcu.org/northbayfirerelief
Community Foundation Sonoma County Resilience Fund
Community Foundation Sonoma County has launched the Sonoma County Resilience Fund to address the mid to long-term needs of our community. http://www.sonomacf.org/support-resilience-fund/ or 707-303-9620.
Housing:
Airbnb has activated its Open Homes program for the North Bay. The program, established in 2012, allows hosts to open up their homes for free to people needing shelter. The company released a statement saying it was in need of more hosts to volunteer. Find out more here.
Tech workers in San Francisco also started a Google Doc to connect evacuees with housing assistance. If you have space in your home and would welcome evacuees, you’re invited to add your name to the list.
SHARE Sonoma County is arranging emergency home shares for displaced homeowners or renters in Sonoma County. Those willing to host a person or family for anywhere from days to months should contact PPSC SHARE Sonoma County at SHAREfire@petalumapeople.org. Volunteers to help with phones can visit the Petaluma People Services Center at 1500 Petaluma Blvd., South, Petaluma.
| Insurance | |
| California Department of Insurance | Assistance with Filing Claims |
| Property Taxes | |
| Sonoma County Assessor | Property tax reassessment due to Misfortune or Calamity |
| Tax Credits | |
| Franchise Tax Board | Info on deducting disaster losses |
| Board of Equalization | Manufacturing and R&D Sales and Use Tax Exemptions for equipment |
| Financing | |
| California IBank | Low interest and state-guaranteed business loans |
| CalCap | Small Business and state-guaranteed loans |
| Working Solutions | Small Business micro-loans |
| Relocation/Rebuilding | |
| GoBiz Business Investment Services | Site consultation and business incentives for relocation |
| Workforce Resources | |
| Sonoma County Job Link | Job matching for dislocated workers, workshops, and more. |
Employees and Affected Businesses
A variety of business tax deadlines are also affected, including the Oct. 31 deadline for quarterly payroll and excise tax returns. Calendar-year tax-exempt organizations whose 2016 extensions run out on Nov. 15, 2017 also qualify for the extra time.
In addition, the IRS is waiving late-deposit penalties for federal payroll and excise tax deposits normally due after Oct. 8 and before Oct. 23, if the deposits are made by Oct. 23, 2017. Details on available relief can be found on the disaster relief page on IRS.gov.
Sonoma County Job Link’s Business Services Team is assembling resources to help employees of businesses affected by the fires who need to:
- Apply for unemployment benefits and COBRA coverage
- Looking for new job opportunities with other local employers
Anyone interested in accessing these critical services should call the Business Services Team at (707) 565-8079, or access their website at https://sonomawib.org/.
Calamity allows claiming property tax relief due to the fire. Once new property is built, prop 50 allows transfer of base year value to the replacement property. To download the form, click here.Â
IRS
Victims of wildfires in parts of California have until Jan. 31, 2018, to file certain individual and business tax returns and make certain tax payments. This includes an additional filing extension for taxpayers with valid extensions that run out Monday, Oct. 16. The IRS is providing relief to seven California counties: Butte, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Nevada, Sonoma and Yuba. More information is available on the IRS website.
In response to recent natural disasters, the IRS is offering two webinars—Oct. 18 (8-10 a.m.) and Oct. 19 (8-10 a.m.)—that will cover tax relief for individuals and businesses; special rules for disaster areas; and how disaster losses affect taxes, among other related issues. Each webinar will also include a live question and answer session.
FTB
California taxpayers impacted by wildfires are granted an extension to file 2016 California tax returns and make payments until Jan. 31, 2018. FTB automatically follows federal postponement periods for any presidentially declared disasters. Disaster victims can receive free copies of state returns to replace lost or damaged ones by completing Form FTB 3516, Request for Copy of Tax Return and printing the name of the disaster in red ink (for example, Tubbs Fire) at the top of the request.
Also, taxpayers may claim a deduction for a disaster loss sustained in an area proclaimed by the governor to be in a state of emergency. For a list of all disasters declared by the governor, see the Qualified Disasters chart on FTB’s Disaster Loss webpage. Additional information and instructions are available in FTB Pub. 1034, How to Claim a State Tax Deduction for Your Disaster Loss.Â
Other State Resources
Disaster related information and guidance for employers and individuals is being offered through other state agencies, including the EDD, California Department of Tax and Fee Administration and BOE.
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