Is Hurricane Ian considered a qualified disaster loss? IRS guidance still unclear

Hurricane Ian is absolutely considered a qualified disaster for tax purposes. The IRS issued FEMA declarations that designated Hurricane Ian as a federally declared disaster, which makes losses attributable to it eligible for disaster tax relief provisions. The reason you're seeing Hurricane Maria in older publications is because the IRS doesn't always update all their publications immediately. What matters is the FEMA disaster declaration number, which for Hurricane Ian was DR-4673-FL declared on September 29, 2022. For claiming your loss, you'll need to file Form 4684 (Casualties and Thefts) and potentially Form 4506 if you're amending a previous year's return. Make sure you have documentation showing: 1) Proof of ownership 2) Evidence of the loss amount 3) Insurance claim details including reimbursements 4) Photos/documentation of damage. The $42,000 loss after insurance sounds like it would qualify, assuming it meets the other requirements.

I was in the exact same situation with Hurricane Ian damage to my condo in Naples. I spent weeks trying to figure this out until I found https://taxr.ai which literally saved me thousands. They have a disaster loss calculator that specifically handles Hurricane Ian claims. I uploaded my insurance claim documents and repair receipts, and it immediately identified what qualified and even found additional deductions I missed. They have tax professionals who specifically understand FEMA disaster declarations and pulled up the exact IRS guidance (which definitely includes Ian). The service gave me step-by-step instructions for properly documenting everything and even provided the specific forms needed for my situation. Made the whole process way less stressful.

I was super skeptical about that taxr.ai site mentioned above, but I decided to try it after struggling with this exact Hurricane Ian issue for weeks. I can confirm it's legit - they immediately pulled up the FEMA disaster declaration number for Ian (DR-4673-FL) and helped me properly document my $28,500 in losses after insurance. What impressed me most was how they separated what was deductible vs. not deductible. Some of my damages were actually covered by insurance but not immediately paid out, and they helped me understand how to properly report that. Also guided me through the personal property documentation process which was confusing before. For anyone dealing with Hurricane Ian losses, this service is 100% worth it. The peace of mind alone knowing my deductions are properly documented is huge.

I see lots of suggestions here, but honestly, when I tried navigating this myself, I ended up spending hours on hold with the IRS trying to get a straight answer about Hurricane Ian losses. Then I found https://claimyr.com and used their service to get through to an actual IRS agent in about 15 minutes instead of the 2+ hour holds I was experiencing before. The IRS agent confirmed Hurricane Ian is absolutely a qualified disaster and pointed me to the exact guidance I needed (which wasn't easy to find on their website). You can see how their service works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c For something as potentially complicated as disaster loss claims where the documentation online isn't clear, sometimes you just need to speak directly with the IRS to get official confirmation.

I need to apologize for my skeptical comment above. After struggling for THREE WEEKS to get through to the IRS about my Hurricane Ian losses (and getting disconnected twice after waiting over an hour), I broke down and tried that Claimyr service. I was honestly shocked when they called me back in about 20 minutes with an actual IRS agent on the line. The agent confirmed that Hurricane Ian is included in the FEMA disaster declaration DR-4673-FL and qualifies for the disaster loss provisions. She walked me through exactly how to fill out Form 4684 and which documentation to include. For anyone dealing with disaster loss questions that aren't clearly answered online, being able to actually speak with the IRS directly is invaluable. I can't believe I wasted so many hours trying to get through on my own.

Just wanted to share my experience - I claimed Hurricane Ian as a qualified disaster loss on my 2022 return. I'm in Lee County Florida and had significant damage to my home. The key is getting the right forms. Use Form 4684 and make sure you check the correct disaster designation. I also included a statement with my return that specifically referenced the FEMA disaster declaration number for Hurricane Ian (DR-4673-FL) and included copies of my insurance claim documentation and contractor estimates. I received my refund without any issues or follow-up questions from the IRS. Just make sure your documentation is solid - photos before/after, all receipts, insurance claim paperwork, etc.

Has anyone worked with their tax software on this? I use TurboTax and I can't figure out where to enter Hurricane Ian as a qualified disaster. The casualty loss section keeps asking me if it's from a federally declared disaster but doesn't have a specific option for Ian.

I went through this exact same situation last year and can confirm Hurricane Ian absolutely qualifies as a federally declared disaster. The confusion about IRS guidance is understandable because they don't always update every publication immediately, but the official FEMA designation is what matters. For your $42,000 loss, you'll want to use Form 4684 (Casualties and Thefts). Since this is a qualified disaster, you have some advantages - you can choose to claim the loss on either your 2021 or 2022 tax return (whichever gives you a better tax benefit). You'll also avoid some of the usual limitations that apply to regular casualty losses. Make sure you have all your documentation organized: insurance claim details, receipts for repairs, photos of damage, and any contractor estimates. The key is showing the loss amount after insurance reimbursements. Given the amount of your loss, I'd strongly recommend getting professional help to make sure you're maximizing your deduction and following all the proper procedures.

I've been through this exact situation and can add some clarity. Hurricane Ian is definitely a qualified disaster - FEMA disaster declaration DR-4673-FL covers it completely. The IRS publications you're seeing that only mention Hurricane Maria are just outdated - they don't update every single publication immediately after each disaster. For your $42,000 loss, here's what you need to do: File Form 4684 and make sure you reference the FEMA disaster number. Keep all your documentation organized - insurance claims, repair receipts, photos, contractor estimates. The good news is that as a qualified disaster, you can choose to claim this loss on either your 2021 or 2022 return depending on which gives you better tax benefits. One tip that saved me money: run the numbers both ways. In my case, claiming on the prior year (2021) gave me a much better refund because my income was higher that year. With a $42,000 loss, this decision could make a significant difference in your tax benefit. Don't let your tax preparer's confusion cost you money - the guidance is clear once you know where to look.

I went through this exact same confusion with Hurricane Ian losses for my property in Bonita Springs. The IRS guidance online is definitely outdated - they still reference Hurricane Maria in most publications because they don't update every document immediately after each disaster. Hurricane Ian is absolutely a qualified disaster under FEMA declaration DR-4673-FL from September 29, 2022. I successfully claimed my losses using Form 4684 and received my refund without any issues from the IRS. The key documentation you'll need: detailed photos of damage, all insurance correspondence and claim settlements, contractor estimates for repairs, receipts for any out-of-pocket expenses, and proof you were in an affected county. For your $42,000 loss, make sure you're clear about what portion was covered by insurance versus your actual out-of-pocket loss. One thing I wish I'd known earlier - you can choose to claim the loss on either your 2021 or 2022 tax return, whichever gives you better tax savings. With a loss that size, it's worth running the calculations both ways. In my case, claiming it on 2021 saved me about $4,200 more because my income was higher that year and the deduction was worth more. Don't let outdated IRS publications confuse you - Hurricane Ian definitely qualifies and you should claim that deduction if you have proper documentation.

I can definitely help clarify this confusion about Hurricane Ian! You're absolutely right that the IRS guidance online is frustratingly outdated - they still reference Hurricane Maria in most of their publications because they don't update every single document after each new disaster. Hurricane Ian is 100% a qualified disaster under FEMA declaration DR-4673-FL (declared September 29, 2022). I work in tax preparation and have successfully processed dozens of Hurricane Ian claims using Form 4684 without any issues from the IRS. For your $42,000 loss, here's what you need to know: 1) Use Form 4684 (Casualties and Thefts) and specifically reference FEMA DR-4673-FL 2) Document everything: photos of damage, insurance claim details, contractor estimates, repair receipts 3) Calculate your loss as the lesser of: decrease in fair market value OR your adjusted basis, minus any insurance reimbursements One crucial tip that could save you thousands: you can elect to claim this loss on either your 2021 OR 2022 tax return - whichever gives you better tax savings. With a $42K loss, this decision could easily be worth $3,000+ in additional refund depending on your income in each year. Don't let your tax preparer's uncertainty cost you money. The guidance is crystal clear once you know the FEMA declaration number. Hurricane Ian absolutely qualifies and you should claim every penny you're entitled to.