How to Claim a Deduction for Food Loss on a Federal Income Tax Return

Itemize your deductions on Form 1040 Schedule A.

A person can deduct food loss if the loss came either through a casualty or through theft. Casualty occurs when an unexpected or unusual event destroys the food. Theft occurs when someone steals the food in a manner that is against the state law. A taxpayer can deduct casualty and theft losses only if he itemizes his deductions for the year. If the taxpayer uses a standard deduction, he will be unable to deduct food losses.

Instructions

1. Fill out Form 4684. This form is very self-explanatory. On line 2 put the cost of the food. For line 6, since you will have lost your food, the fair market value after the casualty of theft will equal $0. Line 22 will be your total deduction.

2. Transfer the amount from line 22 to Form 1040 Schedule A, line 20, or Form 1040NR Schedule A, line 8.

3. Fill out the remainder of Form 1040 Schedule A or Form 1040NR Schedule A. If the amount on Form 1040 Schedule A, line 29, or Form 1040NR Schedule A, line 17, is less than the standard deduction, use your standard deduction.

4. Transfer the amount from Form 1040 Schedule A, line 29, or Form 1040NR Schedule A, line 17, to Form 1040, line 40a, or Form 1040NR, line 37.

References

• Internal Revenue Service: Tax Topic 515
• IRS: Form 4684
• IRS: Tax Topic 507
• IRS: Form 1040 Schedule A
• IRS: Form 1040NR