As we’ve shared many times on SmallBusiness.com, natural disasters can – and do – happen at any time. Whether it’s a hurricane, fire, flood, earthquake or tornado, there are things people can do to prepare in advance of a disaster. When it comes to small business disaster information and resources provided by the U.S. government, the places to begin your research are the Internal Revenue Service, SBA Office of Disaster Assistance and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Disaster Information from the IRS

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Reconstructing records after a disaster | A fact sheet to help people who are facing the challenge of reconstructing their financial records after a disaster. It covers how to properly document a tax-deductible loss.

Tax relief in disaster situations | (Including local news releases and frequently asked questions, FAQs)

This fact sheet features links to disaster resources. It walks taxpayers through the information that will help them after a disaster. The page also links to local news releases and frequently asked questions.

FAQs for disaster victims | Users will find links to several different pages of FAQs. Each set of FAQs is about a specific topic to help people after a disaster.

Publication 2194 | Disaster Resource Guide for Individuals and Businesses

This resource guide provides information for individuals and businesses affected by a disaster. It also covers the help available for disaster victims. The guide can help taxpayers claim unreimbursed casualty losses on a property that was damaged or destroyed.

Publication 584 | Casualty, Disaster, and Theft Loss Workbook

This workbook helps individual taxpayers figure the loss on their property because of a disaster, casualty or theft.

Publication 584-B | Business Casualty, Disaster, and Theft Loss Workbook

This workbook helps businesses figure the loss on the business property because of a disaster, casualty or theft.

Publication 547 | Casualties, Disasters and Thefts

This publication explains the tax treatment of casualties, thefts and losses.

Disaster Information From
The SBA Office of Disaster Assistance

Through its Office of Disaster Assistance (ODA), the Small Business Administration (SBA) is responsible for providing affordable, timely and accessible financial assistance to businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners, and renters following a disaster.

Financial assistance is available in the form of low-interest, long-term loans. SBA’s disaster loans are the primary form of federal assistance for the repair and rebuilding of non-farm, private sector disaster losses. For this reason, the disaster loan program is the only form of SBA assistance not limited to small businesses. Disaster Assistance has been part of the agency since its inception in 1953.

Disaster Information and Resources from the USDA

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