PORTER RANCH, ALISO CANYON – So Cal Gas – IRS TAX RELIEF

PORTER RANCH, ALISO CANYON – So Cal Gas – IRS TAX RELIEF

In July 2016 the IRS released an announcement regarding the treatment of payments to families who had to abandon their homes due to the So Cal Gas Company, Aliso Canyon Gas storage facility leak in the Porter Ranch area of the north San Fernando Valley. The IRS has set aside Code Section 123. “The IRS will not assert that an affected area resident must include these payments or reimbursements in gross income.” The following is a full reprint of the IRS Announcement: - My recommended disclosures for 2015 and 2016 tax returns follow the IRS announcement

Tax Treatment of Payments Made on Behalf of or Reimbursements Received by Residents Affected by the Southern California Gas Company Natural Gas Leak  -- Announcement 2016-25

On October 23, 2015, Southern California Gas Company (SoCal Gas) discovered a natural gas leak at the Aliso Canyon storage field, which was sealed on February 18, 2016. Residents of nearby areas complained of numerous adverse health effects as a result of the gas leak, including nausea, dizziness, vomiting, shortness of breath, and headaches. Because the gas leak caused significant symptoms for area residents, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health directed SoCal Gas to offer free, temporary relocation to affected residents. Pursuant to the directive and subsequent court orders, SoCal Gas is required to either pay on behalf of or reimburse affected residents for certain relocation and cleaning expenses incurred generally for the period beginning Novembe r 19, 2015 through May 31, 2016. These expenses include:

· Hotel expenses, including meal reimbursement ($45 per day for an individual age 18 and older; $35 per day or $25 per day for a child based on age), mileage reimbursement, parking expenses, pet boarding fees, internet fees, electric vehicle charging fees, and laundry fees;

· Expenses of staying with friends or family at the rate of $150 per day, and mileage reimbursement;

· Expenses of renting another home for a lease term (including a lease term Extending beyond May 31, 2016) as approved by SoCal Gas, including expenses of housewares, appliances, pet fees, furniture rental, utility fees, and moving expenses;

· Mileage allowances or alternative transportation for a resident whose child or children attended the relocated area schools until the date the resident exited the relocation program. If, however, a resident enrolled a child in a school outside of the affected area, SoCal Gas must pay the mileage allowance until the child no longer attends the reenrolled school or the school year ends, whichever occurs first;

· Expenses of cleaning the interior of an affected individual’s home prior to returning home according to protocols established by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health;

· Air filtration and purification expenses;

· Expenses of cleaning residue from the exterior of an affected individual’s home, outdoor fixtures, and exterior furniture and appliances; · Expenses of a vehicle detailing treatment; and

· Other expenses not specifically described in the relocation plan based on SoCal Gas’s evaluation of the expenses.

Questions have been raised concerning the taxability of these expenses paid on behalf of or as reimbursements to affected area residents. Existing guidance does not specific ally address these questions.

The IRS will not assert that an affected area resident must include these payments or reimbursements in gross income. However, family and friends who received payments under the relocation plan for housing affected area residents must include these payments in gross income under § 61 of the Internal Revenue Code, unless these  amounts are properly excludable from gross income under § 280A (relating to the exclusion for rental income from a taxpayer’s residence for less than 15 days during the taxable year).

For further information regarding this announcement, contact Sheldon Iskow of the Office of Associate Chief Counsel (Income Tax & Accounting) at (202) 317-4718 (not a toll - free call).

RECOMMENDED DISCLOSURES FOR 2015 AND 2016 TAX RETURNS:

I have always been a CPA advocating for adequate disclosures. I don’t know if the IRS reads these disclosures, but in the event of an IRS audit, an adequate disclosure can only help the taxpayer.

My recommendation is that the return include a minimum of of a statement that the taxpayer received reimbursement for Additional living expenses related to the Aliso Canyon, So Cal Gas storage leak including reimbursement for (list the applicable items from the Announcement). Additionally, include in the statement whether he reimbursement exceeded the actual expenses incurred.

For those who rented their homes, or portions of their homes to those who were displaced, the IRS has reminded taxpayers in the announcement that if the rental was for 15 days or more in a tax year, the income must be reported. Note that if you rented your home out for 14 days in 2015 and 14 days in 2016, the 14 day rule has not been exceeded. Additionally, if only one year’s rental exceeded the 14 limit, then only that year’s rental income is taxable.

JOHN TRAPANI, CPA assists both taxpayers directly and

advises taxpayers’ tax professionals.

This material was contributed by John Trapani. A Certified Public Accountant who has assisted taxpayers since 1976, in analyzing and reporting transactions of the type covered in this material.  

© 2016, John Trapani, CPA,

All rights to reproduce or quote any part of the chapter in any other publication are reserved by the author. Republication rights limited by the publisher of the book in which this chapter appears also apply.

	JOHN TRAPANI
	Certified Public Accountant
	2975 E. Hillcrest Drive, #403
	Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
	(805) 497-4411       E-mail John@TrapaniCPA.com
	Website: www.TrapaniCPA.com
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Unless otherwise stated the following statement applies to content specified below:

Any accounting, business or tax advice contained in this communication, is not intended as a thorough, in-depth analysis of a specific issue, nor a substitute for a formal opinion, nor can it be considered sufficient to avoid tax-related penalties. If desired, John Trapani, CPA  would be pleased to perform the requisite complete research and provide with a detailed written analysis.

This material was completed on the date of the posting