Tax Implications (New Jersey and Federal)

New Jersey State Taxes

New Jersey is considered a "gross income tax" state, meaning individuals are taxed on gross income with no itemized deductions allowed. For this reason, casualty losses are not deductible on state income tax returns. 

Federal Taxes

Although losses cannot be deducted on New Jersey tax returns, they may be deductible for federal tax purposes. IRS publications and forms can be found on the IRS website at IRS.gov. IRS Publication 547, Casualties, Disasters and Thefts (Business and Nonbusiness), explains:

• How to determine what is deductible
• To what extent a loss is deductible
• How to claim a deduction on your tax return

In order to report and deduct losses, access the following forms:

• Form 4684, "Casualties and Thefts"
• Schedule A of Form 1040

There are two other helpful IRS forms that can be accessed at irs.gov/forms-instructions:

• IRS Publication 584, Casualty, Disaster,
  and Theft Loss Workbook (Personal-Use Property)
• IRS Publication 584-B, Business Casualty, Disaster, and Theft Loss Workbook (Business Property)