How to Protect Your Tax and Other Financial Records from a Natural Disaster

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Natural disasters happen every day to both homes and businesses. Could your financial records survive?



Every day, people across the country lose homes, businesses, and personal belongings to disasters. Floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, and severe thunderstorms dominate headlines during parts of the year, but emergencies can happen anytime. A house fire, a burst water pipe, or an electrical malfunction can destroy years of important paperwork in minutes.



When disasters occur, many people escape with little more than their families and pets. Afterward, they begin the difficult process of rebuilding their lives — including reconstructing financial records, tax returns, insurance paperwork, and legal documents. Recovering those records can be stressful and time-consuming—and in some cases, impossible—if there was no backup plan in place.



Fortunately, there are steps you can take now to protect your important financial and tax documents before an emergency happens.