Tag: Casualty Loss

Hurricane Harvey Casualty Loss and NOLs

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As Tax Day draws nearer, I continue to hear questions from taxpayers whose homes were affected by Hurricane Harvey. Today, I explore one instance in which a casualty loss from Harvey may be treated as an NOL, or net operating loss, and used to recover prior tax payments.

Can Your Casualty Loss from Hurricane Harvey Create an NOL for Carryback?

Yes. There may be an opportunity for an additional refund.

Individuals can claim an NOL for casualty losses that exceed the amount that can be utilized in the year the loss was sustained and reported. For those who suffered severe damage, the casualty loss may exceed their income and, therefore, they would not be able to fully utilize their casualty loss deduction for the year in which the loss occurred. The IRS allows such individuals to treat the loss as an NOL and carry it back to prior years. If income was insufficient in the prior years, a carryforward is available.

If done within one year of the NOL year, then you would use Form 1045; this will allow the taxpayer to receive a prompt refund. If the claim is filed more than one year after the close of the NOL year, then it must be filed on Form 1040X within the relevant statute of limitations for the loss year. Your normal NOL gets a two year carryback, but a special rule for casualty losses extends the carryback period to three years.

Congress enacted a special five-year carryback for those who suffered a loss from Hurricane Katrina. However, a similar special five-year carryback was not enacted for those who suffered losses from Hurricane Sandy. Tax professionals will be keeping an eye out for any new legislation that might extend the carryback period for victims of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Hopefully very few taxpayers will need five years to absorb their loss.

That is all for today. I look forward to visiting with you next week. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to reach out with questions. Feel free to email robert@robertstevensoncpa.com or call my office at (713) 785-8939. I’m also available by text at (713) 906-8331.

Hurricane Harvey Casualty Loss and Form 4684

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As Tax Day draws nearer, I’ve had a number of questions about Hurricane Harvey and casualty loss. Today, I’ll walk you through what you need to file Form 4684 for casualty loss deductions with your 2017 tax return.

Form 4684, Casualties and Thefts was designed especially for storms like Hurricane Harvey. In 2017, you will be able to take an itemized deduction by completing the form and attaching it to your Form 1040. Also, it’s important to know that twenty counties along the Texas Gulf Coast, including Harris County, were Presidentially Declared Disaster Areas. Once the President declares an area a Presidentially Declared Disaster Area, then the IRS can administratively make temporary changes to the law, such as extending the due dates of returns and estimated tax payments, and they can lift the 10% of AGI threshold for casualty losses. And that is what they did. If your home was flooded and your personal possessions were lost in the flood, then you need to complete Form 4684.

Here is what you will need to complete the form:

  • The cost or basis of your home
  • Your insurance or other reimbursement (ie: FEMA)
  • Your fair market value before the storm
  • Your fair market value after the storm

This is the information you will need to complete your casualty loss deduction. If you struggle with any of these items, such as the FMV of your home after the storm, don’t hesitate to ask your realtor or real estate appraiser, or contact the Harris County Appraisal District. If you need any help with any of this, then please give me a call.

That is all today. I look forward to visiting with you next week. In the meantime, please let me know if you have any questions — you can call my office at (713) 785-8939 or leave a comment on this post to get in touch.