My husband is assigned to an aircraft carrier. Can he deduct his mess bills for when he is required to eat on the ship (e.g. deployments, underway)?

[lauren-c-sedlak]

My husband has to pay a monthly bill to eat while on an aircraft carrier while underway (e.g. deployments or workups). Since he has no other food option while out, is it possible to deduct these bills from taxes?

[ToddL]

Is he an officer or drawing separate rations pay?

[lauren-c-sedlak]

Officer

[ToddL · Accepted solution]

As an officer, he is drawing tax-free BAS (Basic Allowance for Subsistence). 

While it may not cover the full-cost of his meals onboard ship, the Navy (or Marines) considers that as payment for his meals whether onboard or ashore.

[lauren-c-sedlak]

Thank you so much!

[ToddL]

My pleasure - I've had this exact question before. I did 30 yrs in Army, and remember having to pay for my meals while deployed. In the long run tax-free BAS more than makes up for it.