Business Deduction for Meals
When it comes to food, taxes are a bit crazy especially for business owners. Food purchases are somewhere from zero to 100% deductible. It depends on whose mouth it ends up in.
The full cost is deductible as an expense if the end user is:
- The General Public
- Employees that are working late
- Holiday office parties so tell your boss not to hold back
A portion of the cost is deductible (generally 50%) if the end user is:
- Dining with clients – this may change to 100% deductible based on upcoming legislation
- Travel meals
- Employees during normal business operations
None of the cost is deductible if the end user is:
- Friends
- Family
Keep all receipts and make sure your accounting software is setup to assign food transactions to the proper account. When it comes to dining with clients you must document the reason for the meeting and who was there. The top of the receipt is a great place to write it down.
Tax rules for food are constantly changing. The hot topic right now is moving the expense for dining with clients into the 100% deductible class. Some say it is a good idea to encourage more businesses to go out and spend while others see it as tax breaks that could do more elsewhere. Regardless of your opinion make sure you are ready to put the rules to work in your favor. Contact us today for assistance.