What I'm not understanding here is that you have a place to prepare meals, just as you would if you were at home. You essentially are at home. Why should you be able to deduct meals? You have to eat anyway and you have a place to prepare meals. If you were at a hotel- maybe yes. If you're staying in your own house, I'm just not getting it. You have to eat on any work day, regardless if it's your regular job or maintenance on a rental.
Only if you are more than a certain distance from your primary home, AND you "have" to eat out should you be taking this deduction. That's my interpretation.
