Question For business travel, are there limits on the amounts deductible for meals? Answer Generally, reimbursed non-entertainment-related meal expenses are deductible if your business trip is overnight or long enough that you need to stop for substantial sleep or rest to properly perform your duties. You can figure all your travel meal expenses using either of the following methods: Actual cost. If you use this method, you must keep records of your actual cost. The standard meal allowance, which is the federal meals and incidental expense (M&IE) per diem rate. The GSA website lists these rates by location. Note that lower rates apply for the first and last days of travel. The deduction for unreimbursed non-entertainment-related business meals is generally subject to a 50% limitation. You generally can’t deduct meal expenses unless you (or your employee) are present at the furnishing of the food or beverages and such expense is not lavish or extravagant under the circumstances. Additional Information Publication 463, Travel, Entertainment, Gift, and Car Expenses Tax Topic 511 - Business travel expenses Category Small business, self-employed, other business Sub-Category Income & expenses
