Do I really need an appraisal?

Question: My tax advisor suggested that I obtain an appraisal of my property that reports the value before the fire and the value of the land after the fire in order to document the reportable loss.  My insurer has advised that they are going to provide me with an...

I received a check for living expenses. Is it taxable?

If your home was destroyed in the fire and you must temporarily live somewhere else while your home is repaired or rebuilt, insurance payments for increased living expenses are excluded from income (i.e. not taxable). This exclusion from income only applies to the...