NJ Disaster Recovery Guide: See Tips From Essex County Accountants

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Putting your life back together after a disaster like a flood or hurricane is hard enough without adding a financial headache to the mix. And there are some crucial steps that New Jersey residents and businesses should take if the unexpected happens, experts say.

The Roseland-based New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJCPA) recently updated its Disaster Recovery Guide, which can be seen online here. People can also request a copy by contacting the group at communications@njcpa.org or 973-226-4494.

What is in the guide? According to the NJCPA, which has more than 13,000 members:

“As hurricane season is in full throttle and residents and businesses clean up from Tropical Storm Debby along the East Coast, the free guide serves as a useful reminder of what to do in the wake of damage to property or after the loss of personal or business-related records. The NJCPA Disaster Recovery Guide provides a list of insurance contacts throughout New Jersey and the metropolitan area as well as various state and federal agencies that can assist in recovering or replacing lost identity and documentation for automobiles, homes, mortgages or marriage licenses. The guide also explains the necessary steps to avoid disaster recovery scams and outlines how to amend IRS tax returns to help cover one’s losses.”

Some topics covered in the guide include:

• Reconstructing Records Lost in a Natural Disaster
• Help Cover Your Losses by Amending Your Tax Return
• Tax Implications (New Jersey and Federal)
• Tips for Avoiding Disaster-Related Fraud
• Documenting Damage and Losses for Insurance Claims
• Replacing Personal Documents

“Knowing what resources are available in times of a crisis can make a huge difference when it comes to getting a business back up and running smoothly after a disaster or in recouping one’s lost personal records,” NJCPA executive director Aiysha Johnson said.

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