Hurricane Harvey has been devastating for many Texans. It could prove to be even more devastating if you haven’t filed your income tax returns in several years and you lost your important papers during the storm.

Even if Harvey wiped out your important papers, your tax filing delinquency will not be forgotten by the IRS.

Make A Fresh Start

If you find yourself in this position, don’t despair. Use this as an opportunity to work from a clean slate and get right with the IRS. Even if you’ve been down on your luck, this is a perfect time to make a fresh start.

With the right attitude and representation the IRS may even be willing to be a little more lenient with you after the chaos left in Harvey’s wake. The IRS will understand that this is not one of those “the dog at my homework” kind of excuse. Besides, they have already granted filing extensions for individuals and businesses alike, which you can read about in my latest blog IRS Has A Heart For Hurricane Harvey Victims.

File Even If You Can’t Pay

No matter what your circumstances before Harvey hit, you can make things better. Filing taxes is a law. To avoid civil and/or criminal charges, you must file your tax return, even if you file late or cannot pay the taxes you owe. Now, more than ever, in the aftermath of this historical storm, if you’ve failed to file past returns, you should seek the assistance of a reputable tax professional and do everything you can to get on the right side of the IRS. And I repeat, even if you can’t pay the taxes you owe.

Be cautious in your selection and remember that tragedy brings out the scammers. They try to take money from compassionate folks who want to help the victims, and they will just as soon make promises about IRS resolution that they cannot keep. So do your homework before you select a tax professional.

We’re Here To Help

If your tax information was in paper format and got ruined or lost in the hurricane, there’s a good chance that much of the most important information is available digitally. We can help you organize your tax documents and direct you in retrieving the documents you’ve lost.

We want to help you get back in compliance with the law. Working with the IRS to minimize your penalties is a complicated process, and you deserve an advocate – someone on your side with expertise and experience who will help you navigate these complex procedures.

Hurricane Loss And Damage Is Tax Deductible

And remember, damage that occurs as a result of natural disaster, fires, accidents, thefts or vandalism are often tax deductible if the loss is major and not covered by insurance or other reimbursement.

I wrote an article earlier in the summer on this topic entitled, Tax Tips For Deducting Disaster Related Losses . You might want to read that too. It’s always a good idea to be aware of the help the IRS provides in the event of a disaster. We will help you get all the help the IRS provides when you come to us to help you get on solid footing with the IRS again.

Questions? Contact Barry Fowler