Disaster Reforestation Act
Sponsored By: Representative Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1]
Introduced
Summary
Creates a special tax rule that lets timber owners deduct casualty losses of uncut timber based on an appraisal of pre-loss value and requires reforestation within five years. It would set appraisal standards, allow an initial taxpayer estimate with a later amended return, and authorize regulatory recapture if reforestation is not completed.
Show full summary
- Owners who hold timber to be cut and sold in an active trade or business would be eligible. Casualties covered include fire, storm, theft, wood-destroying insects, invasive species, and severe drought, and "uncut timber" includes pre-merchantable timber.
- Appraisals must be done by a Federal or State certified appraiser following the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice with a valuation date no later than 1 year after the loss. Taxpayers may instead report an estimate on the original return and file an amended return after the appraisal to adjust taxable income by the difference.
- The lost timber must be reforested by planting, seeding, or appropriate site preparation within 5 years using hardwoods, softwoods, or both. The Secretary would issue regulations to recapture tax benefits if the reforestation requirement is not met.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Tax relief for timber businesses after loss
If enacted, timber businesses that lose uncut trees could claim a larger casualty-loss deduction. The deduction floor would equal the appraised value right before the loss minus any salvage value. It would cover fire, storms, theft, wood-destroying insects or invasive species, and severe drought, including young (pre-merchantable) trees, and only for timber held to be cut and sold in an active business (not passive). The appraisal must be dated within 1 year, follow the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice, be limited to the lost timber, and be done by a state or federal certified appraiser. If you cannot get an appraisal by your filing due date, you could file using an estimate and later amend after the appraisal to adjust your income. You would need to reforest within 5 years or the deduction could be taken back. This would apply to losses in tax years that begin after enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1]
GA • R
Cosponsors
Sewell
AL • D
Sponsored 1/9/2025
Rep. Guest, Michael [R-MS-3]
MS • R
Sponsored 1/22/2025
Sessions
TX • R
Sponsored 1/23/2025
Rep. Rouzer, David [R-NC-7]
NC • R
Sponsored 1/28/2025
Rep. Rogers, Mike D. [R-AL-3]
AL • R
Sponsored 1/31/2025
Rep. Collins, Mike [R-GA-10]
GA • R
Sponsored 2/5/2025
Rep. Westerman, Bruce [R-AR-4]
AR • R
Sponsored 2/11/2025
Rep. Scott, Austin [R-GA-8]
GA • R
Sponsored 2/21/2025
Rep. Letlow, Julia [R-LA-5]
LA • R
Sponsored 3/3/2025
Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
NY • R
Sponsored 4/7/2025
Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]
VA • D
Sponsored 8/8/2025
Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1]
AL • R
Sponsored 8/15/2025
Allen
GA • R
Sponsored 9/18/2025
Jack
GA • R
Sponsored 9/23/2025
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
PA • R
Sponsored 9/26/2025
Rep. Perez, Marie Gluesenkamp [D-WA-3]
WA • D
Sponsored 9/26/2025
Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2]
CA • D
Sponsored 9/26/2025
Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19]
CA • D
Sponsored 9/30/2025
Bishop
GA • D
Sponsored 10/10/2025
Rutherford
FL • R
Sponsored 10/17/2025
Pingree
ME • D
Sponsored 11/7/2025
Edwards
NC • R
Sponsored 12/1/2025
Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1]
MI • R
Sponsored 1/8/2026
Rep. Murphy, Gregory F. [R-NC-3]
NC • R
Sponsored 2/24/2026
Rep. Moran, Nathaniel [R-TX-1]
TX • R
Sponsored 4/21/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov