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Pub. 547, Casualties, Disasters, and Thefts 2006 Tax Year

Publication 547 - Introductory Material

This is archived information that pertains only to the 2006 Tax Year. If you
are looking for information for the current tax year, go to the Tax Prep Help Area.

Limits on personal casualty or theft losses caused by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, or Wilma. The following losses to personal use property are not subject to the $100 rule or 10% rule. For more information, see Deduction Limits later.

  • Losses that arose in the Hurricane Katrina disaster area after August 24, 2005, and that were caused by Hurricane Katrina.

  • Losses that arose in the Hurricane Rita disaster area after September 22, 2005, and that were caused by Hurricane Rita.

  • Losses that arose in the Hurricane Wilma disaster area after October 22, 2005, and that were caused by Hurricane Wilma.

Photographs of missing children. The Internal Revenue Service is a proud partner with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Photographs of missing children selected by the Center may appear in this publication on pages that would otherwise be blank. You can help bring these children home by looking at the photographs and calling 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) if you recognize a child.

This publication explains the tax treatment of casualties, thefts, and losses on deposits. A casualty occurs when your property is damaged as a result of a disaster such as a storm, fire, car accident, or similar event. A theft occurs when someone steals your property. A loss on deposits occurs when your financial institution becomes insolvent or bankrupt.

This publication discusses the following topics.

  • Definitions of a casualty, theft, and loss on deposits.

  • How to figure the amount of your gain or loss.

  • How to treat insurance and other reimbursements you receive.

  • The deduction limits.

  • When and how to report a casualty or theft.

  • The special rules for disaster area losses.

Forms to file.   When you have a casualty or theft, you have to file Form 4684. You will also have to file one or more of the following forms.
  • Schedule A (Form 1040).

  • Schedule D (Form 1040).

  • Form 4797.

For details on which form to use, see How To Report Gains and Losses, later.

Condemnations.   For information on condemnations of property, see Involuntary Conversions in chapter 1 of Publication 544.

Workbooks for casualties and thefts.   Publication 584 is available to help you make a list of your stolen or damaged personal-use property and figure your loss. It includes schedules to help you figure the loss on your home and its contents, and your motor vehicles.

  Publication 584-B is available to help you make a list of your stolen or damaged business or income-producing property and figure your loss.

Comments and suggestions.   We welcome your comments about this publication and your suggestions for future editions.

  You can write to us at the following address:

Internal Revenue Service
Individual Forms and Publications Branch
SE:W:CAR:MP:T:I
1111 Constitution Ave. NW, IR-6406
Washington, DC 20224

  We respond to many letters by telephone. Therefore, it would be helpful if you would include your daytime phone number, including the area code, in your correspondence.

  You can email us at *taxforms@irs.gov. (The asterisk must be included in the address.) Please put “Publications Comment” on the subject line. Although we cannot respond individually to each email, we do appreciate your feedback and will consider your comments as we revise our tax products.

Ordering forms and publications.   Visit www.irs.gov/formspubs to download forms and publications, call 1-800-829-3676, or write to the address below and receive a response within 10 business days after your request is received.


National Distribution Center
P.O. Box 8903
Bloomington, IL 61702-8903

Tax questions.   If you have a tax question, visit www.irs.gov or call 1-800-829-1040. We cannot answer tax questions sent to either of the above addresses.

Publication

  • 523 Selling Your Home

  • 525 Taxable and Nontaxable Income

  • 550 Investment Income and Expenses

  • 551 Basis of Assets

  • 584 Casualty, Disaster, and Theft Loss Workbook (Personal-Use Property)

  • 584B Business Casualty, Disaster, and
    Theft Loss Workbook

Form (and Instructions)

  • Schedule A (Form 1040)
    Itemized Deductions

  • Schedule D (Form 1040)
    Capital Gains and Losses

  • 4684
    Casualties and Thefts

  • 4797
    Sales of Business Property

See How To Get Tax Help near the end of this publication for information about getting publications and forms.

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