I bought a generator, where could I write that off at?

Forum|Forum|4 months ago
February 8, 2026
2 replies
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Bought it for a potential disaster, and disaster happened.

TurboTax Online

DoninGA

Level 15

The purchase of a generator for a personal residence is not deductible on a tax return.

When the home is sold you would include the cost to the Adjusted Purchase Price of the home.

MindyB

Level 13

Generally, you cannot write off a generator to prepare for a disaster, as the IRS considers it a personal expense.

However, if a doctor prescribed the generator so you can run essential medical equipment (like a CPAP or oxygen machine) during a power outage, you can deduct the cost as a medical expense. You would enter this in TurboTax under Medical Expenses, but it only to the extent your medical bills are more than 7.5% of your income.

If you are self-employed and used the generator to keep your home office running during the disaster, you can write off a percentage of the cost based on how much of your home is used for business.

If it is a permanent whole-home generator, you can keep the receipt as an addition to cost basis.