Reconstructing records after a disaster like Hurricane Helene is an essential step to rebuilding your life, particularly when it comes to financial, insurance, and tax records. Losing documents can feel overwhelming, but with some guidance, you can restore what’s needed. Here are the best steps and resources to help you in the process.
IRS Assistance in Reconstructing Financial Records
The IRS has specific guidelines for reconstructing records lost due to a disaster. Here’s how you can recover what’s necessary:
- Tax Return Transcripts: You can access your previous tax returns via the IRS’s online transcript service. This will give you information on your income, filing status, and other details from prior years. You can request transcripts at IRS Transcript Services.
- Lost Wage and Income Documents: If your W-2s or 1099 forms were destroyed, reach out to the payers (your employer or financial institutions) to request a replacement. If they’re unavailable, use copies of prior year returns to estimate the missing information.
- Casualty Loss Claims: If you’ve experienced significant losses from Hurricane Helene, you may qualify to deduct disaster related losses on your tax return. For more on this, visit the IRS’s disaster relief page.
FEMA Resources and Other Federal Aid
If your personal property, home, or business were affected, FEMA can assist with recovery, including replacing important records. In some cases, you might need these documents to receive aid:
– Federal Disaster Assistance: Visit disasterassistance.gov or call FEMA at 1-800-621-3362 for immediate support in recovering documents or applying for aid.
Banking and Insurance Records
For financial records like bank statements, reach out to your bank for duplicates. Most institutions can provide several years of statements online or by request.
Insurance Records, contact your insurance provider for copies of property and casualty insurance policies and claims information. These records will be necessary for any FEMA or SBA claims.
State Resources
If you are in North Carolina, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and Emergency Management (NCEM) offer recovery services for residents impacted by Hurricane Helene. They can guide you through rebuilding and accessing recovery grants. Visit NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources page for more information.
Reconstructing your records may take time, but taking these steps will help you access the relief and assistance you need during this challenging time. Recovering after a disaster can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Please reach out to us if you need further assistance—together, we will get through this.
Sources:
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/essential-resources-to-rebuild-records-after-a-natural-disaster
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/reconstructing-records-after-a-natural-disaster-or-casualty-loss
https://www.dncr.nc.gov/hurricane-helene-recovery-and-cleanup-resources