Hi: I'm a retired carpenter and recently sold a home that I built for myself. I'm single and lived in the home for more than two years, so in addition to the land and building cost will be able to take 250k profit off the capital gain. That still leaves a pretty good taxable profit. I realize I can't write off any of my own labor, but I did have to rent a house to live in while doing the build and wondered if the cost of the rental can be used as a write off? Also wondered if meals/car/mileage can be deducted? And if so is there a formula that the IRS uses? Thanks for any thoughts.