Disaster Recovery Foundation
Supporting disaster victims nationwide through the Federal Casualty Loss Program
Restoring lives after calamities strike
Assistance for Disaster Victims
Our foundation provides assistance to individuals affected by hurricanes, fires, earthquakes, and floods. Using the Federal Casualty Loss Program (Form 4684) we guide homeowners to create tax deductions that can save thousands as they rebuild. Since 2017, we've helped over 10,000 homeowners get back on their feet.
Disaster Recovery Foundation
The Disaster Recovery Foundation was created to provide victims of federally declared disasters with the appraisal they need to file IRS casualty loss claims, quickly. We do this using proprietary technology in a transparent, defensible process that includes individual review by valuation techs. The Loss Reports we provide are a competent appraisal for disaster-related loss in Fair Market Value (FMV) for use with Form 4684 on Federal Taxes.
Disaster Recovery Foundation exists to accept donations that are used exclusively to pay the full cost of Disaster Loss Reports required by the IRS for disaster victims who seek to recover unreimbursed losses via the casualty loss provision of the U.S. tax code. This is the only means by which victims can recover those losses. Disaster Recovery Foundation can accept donations that are tax-deductible under Section 501(c)(3).
Disaster Recovery Foundation exists to accept donations that are used exclusively to pay the full cost of Disaster Loss Reports required by the IRS for disaster victims who seek to recover unreimbursed losses via the casualty loss provision of the U.S. tax code. This is the only means by which victims can recover those losses. Disaster Recovery Foundation can accept donations that are tax-deductible under Section 501(c)(3).
Donate Now
Disaster Recovery Foundation is a project of Humanitarian Social Innovations, a Pennsylvania nonprofit corporation recognized by IRS as a tax-exempt public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (Federal Tax ID: 46-4779591). Contributions to Disaster Recovery Foundation qualify as tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
Providing Critical Support
How We Help
We offer support and guidance through the entire Federal Casualty Loss Program application process.
Our team ensures that disaster victims receive the maximum possible benefits from the program.
The Federal Casualty Loss program has been part of the U.S. tax code since its inception. Today, it provides relief for owners whose homes suffer losses as a result of federally declared disasters, allowing them to deduct unreimbursed losses from their tax liability. This often allows taxpayers to recover taxes previously paid to help with immediate needs, and/or reduce their tax liability going forward.
Our features
Disaster Recovery Assistance
We provide help with the Federal Casualty Loss Program to people who have lost their homes in disasters such as hurricanes, fires, earthquakes and floods.
Expertise
Our team of experts is dedicated to assisting individuals who have experienced the devastating loss of their homes due to natural disasters. We understand the emotional and financial stress that comes with such events, and we are here to provide guidance and support throughout the recovery process.
How We Help
Expert Assistance
IRS Acceptance
Maximum Benefits
We prepare Disaster Loss Reports that provide substantiating evidence for an IRS Casualty Loss filing through form 4684. This form allows people like you who have suffered losses in disasters to deduct unreimbursed losses as a tax deduction that may save thousands of dollars in taxes. In order to file this form, you need a professional valuation of your loss. That’s where we come in.
The IRS has determined that form 4684 needs to be accompanied by a “competent valuation” such as a Home Appraisal or Disaster Relief Loss Report. The IRS has stated that:
- Automated Estimates such as Zillow and Redfin are not acceptable.
- Broker estimates are not acceptable.
- Homeowner estimates are not acceptable.
- Insurance estimates are acceptable, but are typically low, and a Disaster Relief Loss Report may result in a larger deduction.
- Actual rebuilding bills may be used, but only after your project is complete, so it will take longer and a Disaster Relief Loss Report may result in a larger deduction.
IBy using a Loss Report, taxpayers can ensure that they are maximizing their tax relief benefits and receiving the refunds they are entitled to. With a proven track record of assisting over 10,000 customers in navigating the complexities of the IRS system, Disaster Relief has become a trusted partner in disaster recovery.
A Loss Report gets victims money faster with Guaranteed IRS acceptance and allows them to amend a filing up to three years prior.
Helping us help others
On the morning of June 17, 2024, a lightning strike caused what would be known as the South Fork Fire near Ruidoso, NM. Before it was contained on July 15th, the fire burned over 17,000 acres, destroyed 1,400 homes and other structures, and killed two people. It was devastating to the small mountain community of approximately 8,000 people.
Before the fire was extinguished, heavy rains marked the beginning of the monsoon season, causing flash flooding in areas below the hills that were now denuded of vegetation that would have normally impeded the flow of water toward the town below. Hundreds of structures were damaged or destroyed.
One year later, many disaster victims are living in temporary housing. Some hope to rebuild, some plan to relocate. Their losses have overwhelmed them, and many are having difficulty getting back on their feet.
Disaster Relief, established in 2018, began an effort to help those who suffered losses for which they were not reimbursed, via the casualty loss provision of the U.S. tax code.
Part of the tax code for more than 100 years, the casualty loss provision allows property owners who suffer unreimbursed losses due to federally declared disasters, to claim those losses as deductions to their federal income taxes. They can amend prior year’s returns to recover money quickly. Unused portions of the deductions can be carried forward until they are exhausted, reducing their future tax liability and allowing them to keep more of their earnings. This is the only means by which disaster victims can recover unreimbursed losses.
For most losses, the IRS requires the property owner to obtain a “competent appraisal” that identifies the decrease in Fair Market Value due to the disaster. This is the service Disaster Relief provides.
In Ruidoso, Disaster Relief was able to document that fire victims incurred losses averaging $380,000 before reimbursements. The New Mexico Superintendent of Insurance determined that homeowners were 40% underinsured on average before the fire, so uninsured losses were substantial.
The service that Disaster Relief provided to area property owners – for free – will bring millions of dollars back to the small community and help victims begin rebuilding their homes and their lives.
This experience was not unusual. We encounter similar situations wherever we respond to a disaster.
Disaster Recovery Foundation was established to offset the cost of the service and provide those whose homes are severely damaged or destroyed by federally declared disasters with the valuations they need to recover unreimbursed losses, and to do so at no cost to the disaster victims. Please help us help those who have lost everything to weather related disasters by donating to Disaster Recovery Foundation.
Subscribe to our Newsletter | Make a Donation | Learn More
Disaster Recovery Foundation was established to offset the cost of the service and provide those whose homes are severely damaged or destroyed by federally declared disasters with the valuations they need to recover unreimbursed losses, and to do so at no cost to the disaster victims. Please help us help those who have lost everything to weather related disasters by donating to Disaster Recovery Foundation.
Subscribe to our Newsletter | Make a Donation | Learn More