FICPA is continually monitoring government channels and will update this site with relevant information as it becomes available.
If we can be of any assistance to members recovering from the effects of Hurricane Dorian, please contact us at 800-342-3197 or by emailing msc@ficpa.org. You can also reach us via live chat at FICPA.org. We will respond as quickly as we can.
Preparing for Hurricane Dorian
In the case of a federally-declared disaster, taxpayers can visit the IRS webpage for information or call 866-562-5227 to speak with an IRS specialist trained to handle disaster-related issues. A taxpayer impacted by a disaster outside of a federally declared disaster area may qualify for disaster relief. This includes taxpayers who are not physically located in a disaster area, but whose records necessary to meet a filing or payment deadline postponed during the relief period are located in a covered disaster area. Taxpayers located outside of a federally declared disaster area must self-identify to receive relief by calling 866-562-5227.
Important Resources
Internal Revenue Service
A current listing of tax reliefs given by the IRS due to natural disasters.
Resources for tax professionals.
Special tax law provisions may help taxpayers and businesses recover financially.
A natural disaster can strike any time. Take time now and create or update your emergency preparedness plan.
Special tax law provisions may help taxpayers and businesses recover financially.
List of affected areas and how Presidentially Declared Disaster Areas affect taxes.
A taxpayer does not have to be located in a federally declared disaster area to be an “affected taxpayer”.
This resource guide provides information to individuals and businesses affected by a federally declared disaster and the assistance available to disaster victims.
For reporting casualty and theft gains and losses. (Instructions)
IRS will not impose a penalty when dyed diesel fuel is sold for use or used on the highway in the State of Florida unil Sept. 15, 2019
Answers to common questions about charitable giving to disaster victims.
Florida Department of Revenue
A listing of the emergency contact information for every county.
Disaster information from the Florida Department of Revenue.
Florida Corporate Income Tax Filers – The Department will follow the tax relief granted by Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for affected taxpayers regarding postponement of Florida corporate income/franchise tax return due dates. For more information, review the Department’s press release and IRS information.
Temporary Fuel Tax License – Florida law allows exporters, petroleum carriers, and importers to request a temporary license during a disaster or declared state of emergency. Applicants are not required to submit a fee, secure bonding, or undergo a background check if they apply for and receive a temporary license. Click here for more information on Florida’s temporary licensing program.
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Helpful tips for small businesses owners affected by natural disasters.
Information on determining the amount of losses, and how to deduct them.
A resource center that provides AICPA members with the necessary resources and guidelines for the benevolent fund application process.
Other Resources
Disaster pronouncements, financial assistance, recovery and more.
Search FEMA Individual Assistance Disaster Declarations by Zip Code.
Price-Gouging Helpline (toll-free).
Insurance Consumer Helpline (toll-free).
Register to receive updates as storm progresses, plus disaster tips.
Hurricane-related instructions and resources.
If you have a flood insurance policy, reference these numbers to get in touch with your provider.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
Enter zip code for a local Red Cross center.
Emergency Declaration declared on August 30, 2019.
Live updates regarding the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation’s storm preparation and response.
FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance.
Technical Q&A
Send disaster-related technical tax questions to msc@ficpa.org.
We will provide answers to technical questions on an ongoing basis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the FICPA doing to assist CPAs impacted by Hurricane Dorian?
The FICPA is in communication with the Department of Revenue and the IRS regarding upcoming deadlines. We will continue to update this page as more information becomes available.
What if my client does not live in an area designated by FEMA for assistance?
A taxpayer does not have to be located in a federally declared disaster area to be an “affected taxpayer.” Taxpayers are “affected” if records necessary to meet a filing or payment deadline postponed during the relief period are located in a covered disaster area
Practitioners located in the covered disaster area who maintain records necessary to meet a filing or payment deadline for taxpayers located outside the disaster area may elect to contact the IRS to identify such clients.
See Requests from Practitioners for Disaster Relief on methods of client identification.
What is affected taxpayer and what records are necessary to meet a deadline for filing and paying?
Definition of an Affected Taxpayer
Source: IRS.gov
A taxpayer does not have to be located in a federally declared disaster area to be an “affected taxpayer.” Taxpayers are “affected” if records necessary to meet a filing or payment deadline postponed during the relief period are located in a covered disaster area.
An affected taxpayer can be:
- An individual
- Any business entity or sole proprietor
- Any shareholder in an S Corporation
(10/11) Q: I own an interest in a partnership, or I am a shareholder in an S Corporation that is located in a federally declared disaster area. However, I do not live in the disaster area myself. I rely on information (Schedule K-1) from the partnership or S Corp to file my tax return. Do I qualify as an affected taxpayer for purposes of receiving filing and payment relief?
Yes. If the affected partnership or S Corp cannot provide you the records necessary to file your return then you’re also an affected taxpayer. Your filing and payment deadlines are postponed until the end of the postponement period just like the affected partnership or S Corp.
To get the postponement for filing or payment, you must:
- Call the Disaster Assistance Hotline at 1-866-562-5227
- Explain that your necessary records are located in a covered disaster area
- Provide the FEMA Disaster Number of the county where the affected partnership or S Corp is located
- See Treas. Reg. § 301.7508A-1 and Rev. Proc. 2007-56 for a list of taxpayer acts that may be postponed in response to a federally declared disaster
Assignment of Benefits Fraud
Protect consumers from unscrupulous contractors.
It’s important to address the assignment of benefits for insurance coverage of repairs. Residents are encouraged to discuss this topic with their CPA who can provide another layer of oversight. This brochure from the Consumer Protection Coalition can inform and educate your clients and friends.
What is Assignment of Benefits?
Assignment of Benefits, or AOB for short, is a provision in a vendor’s repair contract. Originally called a “direction to pay,” a cottage industry of billboard trial lawyers and shady repair firms have found a way to exploit AOBs. They lure unsuspecting consumers to sign sweeping AOB authorizations that essentially result in the consumer handing over all of the rights and benefits of the insurance policies they bought and paid for. By asking you to sign an AOB, a third party may be attempting to take over your insurance policy!
READ MORE FROM THE AOB RESOURCE HERE
FICPA Legislative Advocacy
The FICPA Governmental Affairs Team is in continuous contact with local, state, and federal lawmakers regarding disaster preparation and relief for taxpayers. Check back soon for important legislative and regulatory announcements.
- Gov. DeSantis Executive Order 19-190, expanding emergency to all 67 Florida Counties
- Florida Congressional Letter of Support to President Trump
- Gov. DeSantis Pre-Landfall Emergency Declaration Letter to President Trump
Governmental Affairs Update: Hurricane Dorian
As the effects of Hurricane Dorian continue to impact individuals statewide, your FICPA Governmental Affairs team has been actively reaching out to key lawmakers, advocating for federal relief on behalf of the FICPA community. Below, you’ll find links to the documents that Director of Governmental Affairs, Justin Thames, references in his video update (linked below).
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