Can I deduct the cost of removing two trees that fell on my house?

[jtx73]

Two trees fell on my house during a storm last year. I have a home office and was wondering if I could deduct the cost of that tree removal on the "expenses for the entire home" portion. They hit the roof and I had to get that repaired too.

If this is tax deductible, where would I enter it? Thanks

[Vanessa A]

No.  The cost of removing down trees is not a deductible expense unless it was in a federally declared disaster area.  

If it was in a federally declared disaster area, then you can deduct the cost of the damage to your home and include the tree removal as a measure of the decrease in FMV of your home/property.

Landscaping. The cost of restoring landscaping to its original condition after a casualty may indicate the decrease in FMV. You may be able to measure your loss by what you spend on the following.
• Removing destroyed or damaged trees and shrubs,
minus any salvage you receive.
• Pruning and other measures taken to preserve damaged trees and shrubs.
• Replanting necessary to restore the property to its approximate value before the casualty