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New Member
posted Apr 15, 2025 9:44:47 AM

I was deployed to a disaster area for my job, as a FEMA contractor, and was paid by my work. Can I claim food and supplies during my service that were not reimbursed?

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3 Replies
Expert Alumni
Apr 15, 2025 10:29:32 AM

It depends.  If you were a W-2 employee, then no, you cannot claim the food and supplies or any job related expenses.

If you were an independent contractor, then yes, you can claim food and supplies as a business expense on your schedule C. 

New Member
Apr 15, 2025 11:19:39 AM

I am a W-2 employee, however in a disaster area we had no access to food or supplies that we had to obtain ourselves and no reimbursement was given. As EMS providers we are allowed to take meals since we don't have a station, but I just didn't know how to list it on Turbo. 

Expert Alumni
Apr 15, 2025 11:32:47 AM

If you are a W-2 employee, under current tax law, there are no exceptions to the meal deduction on your federal return.  As an employee (unless you are a statutory employee which enters their income on Schedule C and would have a checkmark in box 13) you cannot deduct your meals or expenses. If you do not have a schedule C attached to your return, you cannot claim the meals. 

Depending on the state you live in, you  may be able to claim a credit on your return for the meals.