Congressman Hodes Votes for Tax Relief for Disaster Victims

For Immediate Release

September 24, 2008

Contact:        Mark Bergman

                202-225-5206

Congressman Hodes Votes for Tax Relief for Disaster Victims

Washington, DC—Congressman Paul Hodes voted this evening to provide tax relief for victims of disasters in federally-designated disaster areas. The bill would affect federally-declared disasters nationwide, declared after January 1, 2008 and before December 31, 2011. H.R. 7006 would provide every area in the country with equal relief in the event of a Federally-declared disaster. The program is designed to allow the Federal government to be flexible and swift in delivering tax relief to victims of Federal-declared disasters.

This bill would affect areas of New Hampshire hit hard by flooding and severe weather this summer, including Epsom and Pittsfield, which were eventually covered under a federal disaster declaration after intense lobbying by Governor Lynch and the New Hampshire Congressional delegation.

“Towns across New Hampshire were affected by natural disasters this summer and deserve honest tax relief,” Congressman Hodes said. “This bill will give Granite Staters who suffered from some of New Hampshire’s worst natural disasters in recent memory additional tax relief. It’s the right thing to do to give families that suffered some additional tax relief.”

The bill would also:

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  • Allow individuals to claim expanded and enhanced casualty loss deductions relating to Federal Disasters.
  • Give Businesses Immediate Write-Off Certain Expenses Relating to Federal Disasters.
  • Give Businesses a Five-Year Carry-Back Period for Certain Losses Relating to Federal Disasters.
  • Increase the Standard Mileage Rate for Charitable Use of a Vehicle.