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Level 2
posted Feb 27, 2025 4:12:00 PM

Why is Form 4684 not updated for the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023 (H.R. 5863)?

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5 Replies
Expert Alumni
Feb 27, 2025 4:45:39 PM

It is updated.  The Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023 extended the special rules and return procedures for personal casualty losses attributable to certain major federal disasters declared between February 26, 2021, and February 10, 2025. Qualified disaster losses can be claimed on Form 4684, Casualties and Thefts. For more information, see Qualified disaster loss.

 

If you suffered a qualified disaster loss, you are eligible to claim a casualty loss deduction, to elect to claim the loss in the preceding tax year, and to deduct the loss without itemizing other deductions on Schedule A (Form 1040).

 

 

Level 2
Feb 27, 2025 6:58:41 PM

But the questions that I'm being asked in Turbotax are related to the previous way Form 4684 was completed. 

Expert Alumni
Feb 27, 2025 7:19:01 PM

The Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023 makes disaster relief payments tax-free.   If you received disaster relief payments, you don't need to enter that income; the link above has more info.

 

Generally, if had a loss is caused by a federally declared disaster, you may deduct personal casualty losses relating to your home, household items, and vehicles on your federal income tax return.  For tax years 2018 through 2025, personal casualty losses are otherwise not deductible. 

 

Federal casualty losses, disaster losses and qualified disaster losses are three categories of casualty losses that refer to federally declared disasters. The requirements for each loss vary. For more information, see Pub 547, Casualties, Disasters, and Thefts 

 

Make sure you are in the right place.   Here's how to enter your qualified casualty loss in TurboTax:

 

  1. Open or continue your return.
  2. Navigate to the casualty loss section:
    • TurboTax Online/Mobile: Go to casualty loss.
    • TurboTax Desktop: Search for casualty loss and select the Jump to link.
  3. Select Yes on the Did you have anything damaged or stolen in 2024? screen.
  4. Answer the questions about your event, entering your Description in the following format: State, Disaster (for example, California, Wildfires).

When you complete the event and reach the Property Summary screen, you can enter any additional property losses by selecting Add a Property.

Level 2
Feb 27, 2025 8:00:01 PM

Thank you for your replies.  Very helpful.  I have casualty losses from Hurricane Ian (event occurred in 2022) and own a condominium. 

 

The HOA has "levied" special assessments to the owners in 2023 and 2024 for repairs not covered by insurance to the common areas. 

 

The payments have been due and paid in 2023, 2024 and one that was due and paid this February 2025.  

 

My question is in what year or years are these losses reported? 

Expert Alumni
Feb 28, 2025 4:05:17 PM

You will file an amended return for 2022. The amended is to address your loss.  Topic 515 is loaded with information to help you.

 

The special assessments are not related to the 4684 filing.  That is part of the hurricane recovery rather than the loss.

Reference:

About Form 4684, Casualties and Thefts