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Casualty and Theft Loss (Federal Disaster) — Tax Deduction Guide 2026

Deduct personal property losses from federally declared disasters that exceed 10% of AGI.

$15,000
Avg Annual Savings
$500,000
Max Deduction
Itemized
Deduction Type
Form 4684, Schedule A
Tax Forms

Eligibility

Victims of federally declared disasters

Tax Savings Calculator

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Estimated Tax Savings

$1,100

At the 22% tax bracket, a $5,000 deduction saves you $1,100 in taxes.

Savings by Tax Bracket

10%
$6,818
12%
$8,182
22%
$15,000
24%
$16,364
32%
$21,818
35%
$23,864
37%
$25,227

Requirements

  • 1Federally declared disaster area
  • 2Loss exceeds 10% of AGI minus $100
  • 3Insurance claim filed

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • !Not filing insurance claim first
  • !Including losses outside disaster area

Required Tax Forms

Form 4684Schedule A

Casualty and Theft Loss (Federal Disaster) by State

State rules and tax rates affect the value of this deduction. Check your state for localized guidance:

AlabamaALAlaskaAKArizonaAZArkansasARCaliforniaCAColoradoCOConnecticutCTDelawareDEDistrict of ColumbiaDCFloridaFLGeorgiaGAHawaiiHIIdahoIDIllinoisILIndianaINIowaIAKansasKSKentuckyKYLouisianaLAMaineMEMarylandMDMassachusettsMAMichiganMIMinnesotaMNMississippiMSMissouriMOMontanaMTNebraskaNENevadaNVNew HampshireNHNew JerseyNJNew MexicoNMNew YorkNYNorth CarolinaNCNorth DakotaNDOhioOHOklahomaOKOregonORPennsylvaniaPARhode IslandRISouth CarolinaSCSouth DakotaSDTennesseeTNTexasTXUtahUTVermontVTVirginiaVAWashingtonWAWest VirginiaWVWisconsinWIWyomingWY

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Casualty and Theft Loss (Federal Disaster)?

Deduct personal property losses from federally declared disasters that exceed 10% of AGI.

Who is eligible for the Casualty and Theft Loss (Federal Disaster)?

Victims of federally declared disasters

How much can I save with the Casualty and Theft Loss (Federal Disaster)?

The average tax savings is $15,000 per year. The maximum deduction is $500,000. Your actual savings depend on your tax bracket and qualifying amount.

What forms do I need for the Casualty and Theft Loss (Federal Disaster)?

You'll need to file Form 4684 and Schedule A to claim this deduction.

What are common mistakes with the Casualty and Theft Loss (Federal Disaster)?

Common mistakes include: Not filing insurance claim first; Including losses outside disaster area. Always double-check requirements before filing.

Is the Casualty and Theft Loss (Federal Disaster) worth claiming?

With average savings of $15,000, the casualty and theft loss (federal disaster) is highly valuable. Make sure you meet all eligibility requirements.

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