Codification and extension of exclusion from gross income of compensation for losses or damages resulting from certain wildfires

(a) In general Part III of subchapter B of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting before section 140 the following new section: 139M. Compensation for losses or damages resulting from certain wildfires (a) In general Gross income shall not include any amount received by an individual as a qualified wildfire relief payment. (b) Definitions; qualified wildfire relief payment For purposes of this section— (1) In general The term qualified wildfire relief payment means any amount received by or on behalf of an individual as compensation for losses, expenses, or damages (including compensation for additional living expenses, lost wages (other than compensation for lost wages paid by the employer which would have otherwise paid such wages), personal injury, death, or emotional distress) incurred as a result of a qualified wildfire disaster, but only to the extent the losses, expenses, or damages compensated by such payment are not compensated for by insurance or otherwise. (2) Qualified wildfire disaster The term qualified wildfire disaster means any Federally declared disaster (as defined in section 165(i)(5)(A)) after December 31, 2014, as a result of any forest or range fire. (c) Denial of double benefit Notwithstanding any other provision of this title— (1) no deduction or credit shall be allowed (to the person for whose benefit a qualified wildfire relief payment is made) for, or by reason of, any expenditure to the extent of the amount excluded under this section with respect to such expenditure, and (2) no increase in the basis or adjusted basis of any property shall result from any amount excluded under this section with respect to such property. (d) Limitation on application This section shall only apply to qualified wildfire relief payments received by the individual during taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, and before January 1, 2031.. (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections for part III of subchapter B of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by inserting before the item related to section 140 the following new item: Sec. 139M. Compensation for losses or damages resulting from certain wildfires.. (c) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to payments received in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.