Can I deduct living expenses incured when we had to evacuate our home due to Hurricane Matthew?

[bwa · Accepted solution]

Sorry, but you can't. 

A casualty loss deduction is limited to property losses, specifically the decline in value of the property due to the casualty. Ancillary costs are not deductible. Non-deductible ancillary costs would include items such as -

• temporary lodging,
• generators,
• improvements to prevent future casualties
• clean up costs except to measure the decline in value,
• rental cars after an auto accident, etc.