Could you receive $2,500 in your pockets if you are on the list in this state? The Tennessee state government is offering victims affected by the Tropical Storm Helene a chance to reclaim taxes for all that was paid for essential items needed to refurbish and rebuild homes. All thanks to the Tennessee Department of Revenue, affected Tennessee citizens will experience some financial relief provided that they meet the list of requirements to receive this refund.
Understanding the application process for this refund
According to the Tennessee Department of Revenue, the application process has been streamlined significantly so as to ensure that survivors of Storm Helene can rather easily apply for the refund. Applications that will be accepted are online applications and downloaded forms that have been mailed too
Another offering for Tennessee residents was the in-person help provided to the masses at an event that was held at the Unicoi County EMA/Armory. On Tuesday, May 13, in-person assistance was offered for many residents between 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The reason for the event was to make the application process more understandable and to probe residents to take action so that they don’t miss out on this form of financial relief.
Tennessee residents who could not make the event should not stress as they are still able to find all the eligibility criteria as well as the instructions for filing online.
The importance of this refund program
It is no secret that the devastation caused by Tropical Storm Helene placed further financial strain on families from affected households. Citizens had to deal with the costs incurred from repairing their homes and replacing valuable items at home.
The refund program shows the state’s broader commitment to support citizens in the form of somewhat of a discovery recovery program. This sales tax refund program will return up to $2,500 to affected families. With the money received, residents can fund their recovery efforts or save the money for any future needs.
Citizens who wish to receive this practical form of relief will have to keep all documentation and receipts that allows them to qualify and file for the refund within the yearlong eligibility window period. This is further good news for citizens affected by natural disasters following the news of the extended tax deadline.
Who will receive this tax refund?
The Department of Revenue of Tennessee advises citizens to check their eligibility status so that they can reclaim about $2,500 in tax refunds and not leave any money on the table.
As part of Tennessee’s natural disaster relief attempts, citizens whose primary residence was damaged or fully destroyed due to the Storm Helene will qualify. Residents who qualify must have received financial assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for home reconstruction, repair, and replacement.
The program offers full refunds on sales tax paid for valuable items, such as:
- Residential furniture (purchased for $3,200 or less)
- Residential building supplies (purchased for $500 or less)
- Core appliances (purchased for $3,200 or less)
The rule is that one refund will be processed per household and that for a household to be able to claim for the tax refund, the family would have to have made a purchase meeting the eligibility criteria first. Tennessee residents have one year to make a claim from the date that has been stipulated on their FEMA decision letter. A great suggestion for residents is to wait for all qualifying purchases for refurbishment and repair to be made before completing the application for this respective refund.
With the possibility of receiving a refund for some of the damages incurred, and with the good news of it not being too late for some residents who received an extended tax deadline until October, citizens in Tennessee can finally breathe a little.
