Originally Posted by Sunchimes:
I have a special needs child whose doctor said for us to add Carnation Breakfast Essentials to her milk in an effort to increase her calories and keep her on the growth charts. I have been buying this rather expensive mix myself. No other kids get it, just her. I take the regular meal deductions (not allowed on food program since I'm a listed home) for her, but since this is above and beyond a regular meal, and it was ordered by her doctor, can I take a deduction for the additive as a supply?
As long as you use the standard meal allowance rate, you cannot deduct the extra cost of this food. It's food, not a supply. If you use the actual cost of food to claim food expenses, you can deduct this cost, but then you would have to use this method for all food and save all food receipts.