WASHINGTON – After two years of partisan hold-up, Donalds-endorsed H.R. 5863 – "The Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023" has been signed into law by the President.

"The Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023" will provide much-needed disaster tax relief to residents of Southwest Florida. Specifically, the legislation will cover victims of 300+ federally-designated disasters including Hurricanes Ian, Milton, Helene, Idalia, Debby, Nicole, and Fiona; the Maui Fires; recent California wildfires; and the East Palestine Train Derailment. Congressman Donalds (R-FL) released the following statement:

"In 2022, then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) made a devastating decision to deny Southwest Floridians hurricane tax relief in our time of need," said Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL). "Over the past two years, I have fought alongside Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL) and Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) to ensure that disaster tax relief reaches our community. We relentlessly proposed bill after bill until the Senate took action and the President signed this critical legislation into law. I am proud to have played a role in delivering this much-needed disaster tax relief to Southwest Florida, the Sunshine State, and affected communities across our nation. Government must put the American people first."

Bill Highlights

• H.R. 5863 officially took effect on December 12, 2024.
• Section 2 of H.R. 5863 eliminates the 10% Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) threshold for qualified disaster losses and allows Americans to claim such losses without itemizing deductions.
• H.R. 5863 applies to federally qualified disasters dating back to February 2021 and provides relief for Hurricanes Ian, Milton, Helene, Idalia, Debby, Nicole, and Fiona.
• H.R. 5863 applies to federally qualified disasters declared up to 60 days after the law’s enactment.
• H.R. 5863 applies to 300+ additional federally qualified disasters that have occurred since February 2021 such as the Maui Fires, recent California wildfires, and the East Palestine Train Derailment.
• Floridians who need to retroactively claim disaster-related losses for the 2021, 2022, and/or 2023 tax years will need to file an amended return for that year.
• Floridians who need to claim disaster-related losses for the 2024 hurricane season will be able to do so on their 2024 taxes.
• Please contact your tax preparer or accountant for professional guidance.

More:

• See Donalds H.R. 5863 interview HERE.
• Social media summary roll-out HERE.
• Read the full text of the legislation HERE.
• Congress.gov profile of the legislation HERE.
• Senate Congressional Record documenting bill passage HERE.
• White House Press Release documenting bill signing HERE or BELOW: