topic Form 4684 and Safe Harbor methods in Deductions & credits

Form 4684 and Safe Harbor methods

asuacap — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 07:25:30 GMT

Re: Form 4684 and Safe Harbor methods

asuacap — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 17:19:38 GMT

Here is the question. I want to go with the Safe Harbor method in reporting my losses. Specifically I am focusing on the de minimis method. Per IRS instruction for Form 4684, "If you use one of the safe harbor methods provided in Revenue Procedure 2018-08, you must attach a statement to Form 4684 stating that you used Revenue Procedure 2018-08 to determine the amount of your casualty loss. Include the specific safe harbor method used. When completing Form 4684, do not enter an amount on line 5 or line 6 for each property. Instead, enter the decrease in the FMV determined in the relevant safe harbor method on line 7." Does TurboTax interviewing process support going with de minimis method? How do I get to the result of leaving lines 5 and 6 empty, only entering loss on line 7? Yes what I suffered is a federally declared disaster and I have my FEMA code for it.

Thank you!

Re: Form 4684 and Safe Harbor methods

Anonymous_ — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 17:19:59 GMT

See https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i4684#en_US_2022_publink100075997

Do you have a question?

Re: Form 4684 and Safe Harbor methods

asuacap — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 20:28:59 GMT

Yes. The instruction says, using Safe Harbor method, "When completing Form 4684, do not enter an amount on line 5 or line 6 for each property. Instead, enter the decrease in the FMV determined in the relevant safe harbor method on line 7." How do I use TurboTAX to accomplish this, i.e., leaving lines 5 & 6 empty?

Re: Form 4684 and Safe Harbor methods

Anonymous_ — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 20:38:02 GMT

I believe (but am by no means certain) that you will need to do an override in Forms Mode (available only in the desktop versions of TurboTax).

You won't be able to e-file but you would not be able to e-file anyway since you need to include a statement.

I am fairly certain that the interview does not support the safe harbor, though.

Re: Form 4684 and Safe Harbor methods

asuacap — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 16:56:12 GMT

Thanks for the reply. I think what you said makes perfect sense. I'll go with it.