We know that major disasters and emergencies in your area will affect many families and businesses. While we hope you are spared any loss, we realize this may not be true for everyone, and we want to let you know how the IRS can help.

If you have damaged or lost property in a location declared by the President as a major disaster area, you may be able to get some money back from the IRS right now. Learn more by reviewing Disaster Area Losses (Including Flood Losses) in the Tax Topics portion of this site.

To qualify for disaster loans and grants from other federal agencies, you must have filed all required tax return(s).

If we have recently contacted you about taxes you owe, but because of the emergency you need more time to pay, please let us know. Although the law requires us to charge interest until your account is paid in full, we can reduce penalties in some cases. If you have any other requests from us, we may be able to give you more time to respond.

If you have had an emergency and need more time to pay contact us (the IRS) to let us know how we can help you. Free tax assistance is also available at many Internal Revenue Service Offices and temporary FEMA Disaster Application Centers in your area.

If you have been impacted by a federally-declared disaster you may receive copies or transcripts of previously filed tax returns free of charge by submitting Form 4506, Request for Copy or Transcript of Tax Form clearly identified as a disaster related request. This and other helpful forms and publications are available for download from this site.

For additional information on other federal assistance, or for current news releases and situation reports covering a disaster, be sure to visit the Federal Management Agency (FEMA). Please share this information with family, friends and co-workers.

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