Steube Disaster Tax Relief Legislation Becomes Law
The Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act Received Sweeping Bipartisan Support in Congress, Signed into Law by President Biden
WASHINGTON — U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) announced today that his bipartisan legislation, H.R. 5863, The Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act, has been signed into law by President Biden. This critical new law delivers long-overdue tax relief for Americans impacted by natural disasters.
“This is a victory for every American who has faced the devastating toll of a natural disaster,” said Rep. Steube. “From Florida to California, disasters don’t discriminate by state or party. This bipartisan legislation is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together to prioritize the needs of the American people. After two years of fighting for this relief, this law will help families rebuild their lives and recover with fewer financial barriers.”
The Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act allows Americans to claim disaster-related losses without having to itemize deductions and eliminates the burdensome 10% Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) threshold for claiming those losses. It also ensures that settlements for disaster victims are tax-free and provides relief for recent hurricanes, including Ian, Nicole, Idalia, Helene, Debby, and Milton, as well as disasters declared up to 60 days after the law’s enactment. In addition, the law includes tax relief for wildfire victims in the West and for families impacted by the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment.
“The devastation caused by disasters doesn’t stop at state borders or political lines—it affects every Floridian and every American. This bipartisan effort delivers relief to communities across the nation, whether they’re recovering from a hurricane, wildfire, or another tragedy,” Steube continued. “For Florida, where we’ve faced the brunt of multiple hurricanes in recent years, this law means real help for families and businesses working to rebuild. I will never stop fighting for Floridians and ensuring our communities come back stronger and more resilient than ever.”
This legislation marks a significant step forward for Floridians, who have endured six major hurricanes in two years, as well as for communities across the country grappling with record-breaking wildfires, floods, and storms. Since 2021, more than 300 federally declared disasters have impacted nearly 90% of the country, demonstrating the urgent need for this relief.
Steube’s efforts to secure the passage of the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act were marked by determination and collaboration. The legislation overcame multiple obstacles, including by using a discharge petition that forced a House vote earlier this year. Now, with the President’s signature, families across Florida and the nation will finally receive the tax relief they need to rebuild and recover.
Background
The Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act passed the U.S. House on May 21, 2024 with sweeping bipartisan support (382-7) after Rep. Steube succeeded in a rarely-used legislative tactic to force a vote on his legislation. Rep. Steube filed the discharge petition on April 30, 2024, which reached the required 218 signatures on May 15, 2024. His discharge petition represents only the 3rd successful discharge petition in the Congressional history of public discharge petitions.
The Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act first passed the U.S. House on January 31, 2024 as part of The Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act. This bipartisan tax package stalled in the Senate and never received a vote.
Residents of Florida’s 17th Congressional District have rebuilt from six major hurricanes in just two years.
The 2024 Atlantic Hurricane season was the deadliest season in two decades, as three storms made landfall in Florida in just 3 months. Hurricane Debby, a category one storm making landfall on August 5, 2024, brought flash flooding and river flooding far inland. More than three quarters of all homes damaged by Hurricane Debby were outside of designated flood zones. Hurricanes Helene and Milton, both Category 4 storms, hit within 13 days of each other in October 2024. Helene brought 15 feet of storm surge to the Big Bend, with 5-7 foot storm surge up the Gulf Coast. Helene impacted nearly all Southeast U.S. states, with unprecedented devastation in Western North Carolina. Hurricane Milton made landfall in Florida’s 17 District with 7-8 foot storm surge and over 100 mph winds. Hurricane Milton also spurred deadly tornado outbreaks across the Florida peninsula. Milton broke multiple meteorological records, including the highest number of tornado warnings issued in Florida in one day, and Tampa broke its monthly rainfall record of more than 100 years in just one day.
Last season, Hurricane Idalia made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend on August 30, 2023, bringing a devastating surge of 7 to 12 feet. In some areas, this exceeded levels from the 1993 Storm of the Century.
Hurricane season 2022 brought two storms to Florida. On September 28, 2022, Hurricane Ian struck Florida with 150 mph winds, just below a direct Category 5 hit. Ian left historic devastation in its wake, decimating Fort Myers Beach and killing more than 100 Floridians. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ranks Hurricane Ian as the third-most costly hurricane in U.S. history. After Ian, Hurricane Nicole made landfall on November 10, 2022 as a category 1 Hurricane near Vero Beach, Florida. Nicole caused approximately $1 billion in damages and claimed five lives.
U.S. House Passes Steube Legislation, The Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act
U.S. House Passes Steube Legislation to Provide Disaster Tax Relief for Florida Hurricane Victims
Steube Legislation to Provide Disaster Tax Relief Advances Out of Ways and Means Committee
STEUBE: One year after Hurricane Ian, the Suncoast still needs help. Congress must step up.
Rep. Greg Steube Introduces Legislation to Provide Income Tax Relief for Americans Recovering from Hurricane Ian, Legislation Designates Hurricane Ian as a Qualified Disaster
