Suffered Hurricane Damage from Both Helene and Milton

[joedodgedakota]

I live on the Gulf coast of Florida and my area was declared a disaster area from both Helene and Milton. I had both flood damage and wind damage. Have claims for both with FEMA and my flood and property insurance. A neighbor told me I can claim these things on my income taxes however, being at the end of my filing I do not recall what section of Turbo Tax that would be in.

I would assume that section would explain what I need to do to make these claims?

[AmyC]

These steps will help you make your full claim in the right place.

To enter the 4684:

The programs have some variation but you can follow these steps:

1. You need to go to the federal deductions and credits section. 
2. Select to see less common deductions or more deductions.
3. Locate Other deductions and credits
4. Select Casualties and thefts
5. You will need to claim each hurricane separately. I have another post for entering  Form 4684 Hurricane Milton.
6. FEMA website to search for specific disaster for the code to file the forms - in your case, Helene.

Calculate all the items you lost and the basis:

• I love this workbook to help you  Publication 584, Casualty, Disaster, and Theft Loss Workbook (Personal-Use Property).
•  I have another post to help you with how to determine casualty loss and basis. Between the workbook and my post, you should be able to correctly claim your damage.

[joedodgedakota]

Thank you so much! Your instructions were excellent.
I do have a 2 questions though, for both hurricane Helene and Milton, there is a box in which you put, I guess, what insurance has paid out. Both my claims are still open and looks like I might have to lawyer up to fight.
--In short, I have no idea how long that will take.  So should I not make the 4684 claims? 

--Are there any other documents that I will have to provide before I can file having claimed with 4648? I just did the "review everything" and nothing else is popping up so I'm a step away from filing.

[Vanessa A]

You may want to consider waiting and filing an extension until you get the numbers from the insurance company.  Since you were in Milton and Helene, you have until May 1st to file an extension.  You will need to paper mail it as it can no longer be e-filed. 

If you would get insurance or FEMA reimbursement after you file, you would either need to amend your return or claim the reimbursement as income on your 2025 return if you receive the reimbursement this year.