Can I file for a loss from water damage and mold in my kitchen that was making my son sick? Insurance would not pay bcuz I waited to long to report it.

[1debbiegaston23]

I only replaced the areas in the kitchen where there was water damage and mold. This cost $17,000. Can I claim the loss on Form 4684? Can I claim the loss at all?

[xmasbaby0]

Sorry, no.    Casualty losses are not deductible on a federal return unless they are the result of being in a federal disaster area.  This was a personal expense.

[Opus 17]

Casualty losses are only allowed if they are due to a federally declared disaster, like a flood or wild fire.

In addition, even under the old rules that were not limited to "declared" disasters, mold and long term damage were never allowable casualty losses because a casualty loss is a sudden, unexpected and unpredictable event.  Long term damage due to a slow leak that is not repaired is not a casualty.