Looking at the instructions from the 2106-EZ It directly names jobs and specifies that any meals consumed during DOT hours in service limits can be claimed. This affects airline flight dispatchers and air traffic controllers because we are on duty and sometimes in control of flights while consuming meals. I recommend using the GSA data and finding your local meal expense rate. Verify with your duty logs of the day you worked and if you should use the breakfast, lunch or dinner expense. Turbo tax will automatically apply the 80% calculation to your deduction if you selected you are a transportation employee. Copy of relevant 2016EZ instructions below:
Line 5.
Generally, you can deduct only
50% of your business meal and
entertainment expenses, including meals
incurred while away from home on
business. If you were an employee subject
to the DOT hours of service limits, that
percentage is 80% for business meals
consumed during, or incident to, any
period of duty for which those limits are in
effect.
Employees subject to the DOT hours of
service limits include certain air
transportation employees, such as pilots,
crew, dispatchers, mechanics, and control
tower operators; interstate truck operators
and interstate bus drivers; certain railroad
employees, such as engineers, conductors,
train crews, dispatchers, and control
operations personnel; and certain
merchant mariners.
