Replacement Period for Nonrecognition of Gain

Generally, an involuntary conversion occurs when property is damaged, destroyed, stolen, seized, requisitioned, or condemned, and you receive other property or money in payment, such as insurance or a condemnation award. Generally, you do not have to report a gain (if any) if you replace the property within 2 years (4 years for a main home in a Presidentially declared disaster area). However, for property that was involuntarily converted after August 24, 2005, as a result of Hurricane Katrina, a 5-year replacement period applies if substantially all of the use of the replacement property is in the Hurricane Katrina disaster area. For more information, see the Instructions for Form 4684.