From the California Society of Enrolled Agents: Tax Advice for Fire Victims SACRAMENTO, Calif., Oct. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- As devastating fires continue to sweep through southern California, the California Society of Enrolled Agents has important information to assist taxpayers. In locations officially declared disaster areas by the federal government, taxpayers may file an amended 2002 tax return and include the disaster losses as if they occurred last year. Resulting claims for tax refunds will be processed immediately, providing direct financial aid to fire victims. It's crucial, however, for residents who suffer business or personal property damage during the fire to take immediate action to document losses for insurance and tax purposes. The documentation process does not need to be difficult or complex. "What's important is that people take pictures and do a complete property inventory as quickly as possible," according to Enrolled Agent Jeremy Streeter, EA who chairs CSEA's Public Disaster Service Subcommittee. "A month from now, people are not going to remember what they threw away." To help victims organize a written inventory, CSEA has prepared a Disaster Recovery fact sheet. It's available online at http://www.csea.org/ (click on Taxpayer Help to find it). You can also obtain a copy of this and other pertinent information at no charge by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to Disaster Recovery, CSEA, 3200 Ramos Circle, Sacramento, CA 95827. Mr. Streeter also recommends Internal Revenue Service Publication 584, Casualty and Disaster Loss Workbook, which can be downloaded from the CSEA website or http://www.irs.gov/. Once it is safe to return to the affected areas, all damage should be documented by videos, photographs, and/or written inventory before it is cleaned up or thrown away. Affected property can include buildings and foundations, automobiles, business inventories, and personal property such as furniture, dishes, and clothing. Watch local news for free Disaster Relief Workshops put on by local Enrolled Agents. Enrolled Agents are licensed by the federal government to represent taxpayers and assist them with tax planning and preparation. You can reach an Enrolled Agent in your area by calling (toll free) 800/777-TAXPRO-5, or online at http://www.csea.org/. DATASOURCE: California Society of Enrolled Agents CONTACT: Clifford Weimer or Catherine A. Apker, CAE, both of the California Society of Enrolled Agents, +1-800-777-2732 or +1-916-366-6646, or Web site: http://www.csea.org/

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