As disaster preparation season approaches with National Wildfire Awareness Month in May and Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 4-10), the IRS urges taxpayers to safeguard critical financial and tax information before emergencies hit.
With tax filing season behind us, now is the perfect time to ensure your important documents are protected. Disasters don’t wait for convenient timing—already in 2025, FEMA has declared 12 major disasters across nine states, ranging from winter storms and flooding to tornadoes, wildfires, and mudslides.
Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
When disaster strikes, having access to vital records can make recovery significantly easier. Here’s how to prepare:
Create Your Document Protection Plan
- Store original documents (tax returns, Social Security cards, birth certificates, property deeds) in waterproof containers
- Make physical copies and store them at a secondary location like a safe deposit box
- Scan everything and save digital copies on portable drives or secure cloud storage
Document Your Valuables
Take photos or videos of valuable possessions using your smartphone. This visual inventory will prove invaluable when filing insurance claims or requesting tax benefits after a disaster. The IRS offers helpful workbooks (Publications 584 and 584-B) to guide you through documenting personal and business property.
Know How to Rebuild Records
If the worst happens and records are lost, don’t panic. The IRS provides guidance on reconstructing vital documents at their “Reconstructing Records” webpage. Having accurate loss documentation may increase your eligibility for loans and grants during recovery.
Business Owners: Extra Steps to Take
Employers should verify that their payroll service providers maintain fiduciary bonds as protection against default. Disasters can disrupt normal tax deposit schedules, so having these safeguards in place is essential.
Tax Relief After Disasters
Following FEMA disaster declarations, the IRS typically offers filing and payment extensions to affected taxpayers. You don’t need to request this relief—the IRS automatically identifies eligible taxpayers based on location.
Questions? Contact the IRS Disaster Hotline at 866-562-5227 to speak with specialists trained in disaster-related tax issues, even if you live outside officially designated disaster areas.
Remember: Preparation doesn’t take long, but it can save you months of headaches during recovery.