WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio were joined by Representatives Byron Donalds, Jenniffer González-Colón, Bill Posey and Scott Franklin to introduce their Hurricane Tax Relief Act which would provide disaster-loss tax relief to families in 51 Florida counties and Puerto Rico impacted by Hurricanes Ian, Nicole and Fiona.

The Hurricane Tax Relief Act would make Hurricanes Ian, Nicole and Fiona qualified disasters for purposes of enhanced disaster casualty loss tax relief. This bill modifies the deduction for personal casualty losses in the hurricane disaster areas, waiving the requirements for impacted taxpayers to itemize deductions and to have losses that exceed 10% of adjusted gross income. Congress previously extended this tax relief for hurricanes Irma, Wilma, Dorian, and Michael, among others.

Senator Rick Scott said, “The last thing families should have to worry about as they recover from devastating storms like Ian, Nicole and Fiona is a big tax bill. In years past, Congress has worked to make sure that families can get the disaster loss tax relief they deserve following hurricanes, and this good bill follows that precedent. Communities in Florida and Puerto Rico have shown incredible strength in the days, weeks and months following these storms, and it is critical that we continue to make sure the federal government is working with state and local officials to get resources to those in need. I’m thankful for my colleagues, Senator Rubio and Representatives Donalds, González-Colón, Posey and Franklin, for their support of this bill that will help so many still recovering from these storms.”

Senator Marco Rubio said, “One of the many flaws of the recent Omnibus, which was drafted behind closed doors, is that it did not provide common sense tax relief for families, businesses, and communities that were impacted by hurricanes. I am pleased to introduce this measure to provide much needed support for Floridians.”

Congressman Byron Donalds said, “As the Congressman representing ground zero of Hurricane Ian's impact, it has been my utmost priority to restore our community and ensure the federal government is working to help, not hold up our recovery efforts. I am proud to work with Senator Rick Scott on this commonsense and collaborative approach to providing critical and enhanced disaster loss tax relief to those impacted by Hurricane Ian and other natural disasters in 2022. This bill provides much needed and focused financial assistance that will undoubtedly alleviate the economic burden of many in my district and throughout Florida and Puerto Rico.”   

Congresswoman Jenniffer González-Colón said, “An integral recovery process requires recognizing that residents and businesses have to sometimes use their own resources as part of their response. This legislation provides a timely relief to those who incurred losses in the recent disasters and are now seeking to rebuild their homes and workplaces, especially in the face of increasing costs. I am proud to be co-leading this bipartisan effort on behalf of the people of Puerto Rico and Florida and I look forward to working with Senators Scott and Rubio and Representatives Donalds, Franklin, and Posey as this bill advances in the legislative process.”

Congressman Bill Posey said, “Back-to-back storms last fall claimed lives, destroyed homes and properties, and caused serious financial strain on families all over Florida, which was only compounded by skyrocketing inflation and supply chain issues. We continue to hear from constituents who were affected by these terrible storms, so I am pleased to join Congressman Donalds and Senator Scott and I appreciate their leadership on this commonsense legislation to provide much-needed tax relief.”

Congressman Scott Franklin said, “Our friends and neighbors impacted by last year’s disastrous hurricane season need all the help they can get as they continue to rebuild their communities. They shouldn’t have to worry about whether or not they meet a threshold defined by complicated tax codes. The Hurricane Tax Relief Act is a common sense fix that could have positive impact for millions of Floridians.”

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