What is the prime generator of foreign income?

Can I deduct gas used in generator after Katrina? Storage,ect on income tax? Where on the 1040?

• My mother lives in an apartment that had damage from Katrina making it unliveable. She has lived between her 3 daughters. She is 66, retired educator and has incurred alot of expenses. She is still paying rent, paid a mover to move furniture to a storage unit. She is paying monthly for that. She has used ALOT of gas, stayed in hotels while on the road traveling from state to state to daughters homes. Meals on the road. Alot of eating out while on the road and in hotels. She was subbing at school before Katrina but now that she is displaced has not be able to work. Surely she can take these expenses as deductions but where on her federal income tax return? Any input or links would be greatly appreciated.

• Answer:

  Geez-first, my heart goes out to her- On the face of everything, it sure would be fair to say she has a "right" to be able to deduct these expenses. My guess is, since she did not OWN her apartment (?) that she does not itemize her normal tax return. Since the situation is confused by the disaster, I would have her, or better, yourself, contact your local field office of the IRS, or H&R Block manager (they get direct updates from IRS and State) on how you may be able to handle these disaster-related expenses in her state. In her situation also, check with the local F.E.M.A. office and see what financial assistance she might be able to get NOW for housing, food, and other expenses. What I have found to be true is that if you don't bang on every door and be persistent, especially with governmental employees, you don't get. Also have her file for unemployment in the state she was working in-something is better than nothing. She needs to have a permanent address for them to mail her the forms and the (hopefully) checks. It does not have to be in the same state.