The following tax tip is from IRS.gov.
Continuity of Operations Planning for Businesses
How quickly your company can get back to business after a disaster often depends on emergency planning done today. Start planning now to improve the likelihood that your company will survive and recover. Review your emergency plans annually. Just as your business changes over time, so do your preparedness needs. When you hire new employees or when there are changes in how your company functions, you should update your plans and inform your people.
There are real benefits to being prepared for disasters. The following preparedness strategies are common to all disasters. You plan only once, and are able to apply your plan to all types of hazards.
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Get informed about hazards and emergencies and learn what to do for specific hazards.
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Develop an emergency plan.
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Learn where to seek shelter from all types of hazards.
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Back up your computer data systems regularly.
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Decide how you will communicate with employees, customers and others.
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Use cell phones, walkie-talkies, or other devices that do not rely on electricity as a backup to your telecommunications system.
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Collect and assemble a disaster supplies kit. Include a portable generator.
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Identify the community warning systems and evacuation routes.
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Include required information from community and school plans.
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Practice and maintain your plan.
Update Emergency Plans
Emergency plans should be reviewed annually. Personal and business situations change over time and so do preparedness needs. Individual taxpayers should make sure they are saving documents everybody should keep including such things as W-2s, home closing statements and insurance records. When employers hire new employees or when a company or organization changes functions, plans should be updated accordingly and employees should be informed of the changes.
Make sure you have a means of receiving severe weather information; if you have a NOAA Weather Radio, put fresh batteries in it. Make sure you know what you should do if threatening weather approaches.
Count on the IRS
In the event of a disaster, the IRS stands ready to help. The IRS has valuable information you can request if your records are destroyed.
Immediately after a casualty, you can request a copy of a return and all attachments (including Form W-2) by using Form 4506, Request for Copy of Tax Return (PDF).
If you just need information from your return, you can order a transcript by calling (800) 829-1040 or using Form 4506-T, Request for Transcript of Tax Return (PDF). There is no fee for a transcript. Transcripts are available for the current year and returns processed in the three prior years. IRS.gov is an indispensable resource as you prepare for and recover from disaster.
