Good News! Fully Deduct Business Meals in 2021 and 2022
- Learn the rules regarding business meal deductions.
- Find out how IRS Notice 2021-25 provides guidance about food “provided by a restaurant.”
- Learn why keeping good records is so important when claiming this deduction.
Good news! The federal government is helping to pick up the tab for certain business meals. Under a provision related to one of the COVID-19 relief laws, the usual deduction for 50% of the cost of business meals doubled to 100% for food and beverages provided by restaurants in 2022 (and 2021).
So, you can take customers out for business meals or order take-out for your team and temporarily write off the entire cost — including the tip, sales tax, and any delivery charges.
Basic rules for business meals
Despite eliminating deductions for business entertainment expenses in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), a business taxpayer could still deduct 50% of the cost of qualified business meals, including meals incurred while traveling away from home on business. (The TCJA generally eliminated the 50% deduction for business entertainment expenses incurred after 2017 on a permanent basis.)
To help struggling restaurants during the pandemic, the Consolidated Appropriations Act doubled the business meal deduction temporarily for 2021 and 2022. Unless Congress acts to extend this tax break, it will expire on December 31, 2022.
Currently, you may take the deduction for business meals if you meet the requirements listed below:
- The expense is an ordinary and necessary business expense paid or incurred during the tax year in carrying on any trade or business.
- The expense isn’t lavish or extravagant under the circumstances.
- The taxpayer (or an employee of the taxpayer) is present when the food or beverages are furnished.
- The food and beverages are provided to a current or potential business customer, client, consultant, or similar business contact.
In the event that you provide food and beverages during an entertainment activity, the food and beverages must be purchased separately from the entertainment. Alternatively, the cost can be stated separately from the cost of the entertainment on one or more bills.
So, if you treat a client to a meal and properly substantiate the expense, you may qualify for a business meal deduction as long as you have a business purpose for the meal or a reasonable expectation that a benefit to the business will result.
Provided by a restaurant
IRS Notice 2021-25 explains the main rules for qualifying for the 100% deduction for food and beverages provided by a restaurant. Under this guidance, the deduction is available if the restaurant prepares and sells food or beverages to retail customers for immediate consumption on or off the premises. As a result, it applies to both on-site dining and take-out and delivery meals.
However, a “restaurant” doesn’t include a business that mainly sells pre-packaged goods not intended for immediate consumption. So, food and beverage sales are excluded from businesses including:
- Grocery stores,
- Convenience stores,
- Beer, wine or liquor stores, and
- Vending machines or kiosks.
The restriction also applies to an eating facility located on the employer’s business premises that provides meals excluded from an employee’s taxable income. Business meals purchased from such facilities are limited to a 50% deduction. It doesn’t matter if a third party is operating the facility under a contract with the business.
Keep good records
It’s important to keep track of expenses to maximize tax benefits for expenses related to business meals.
You should record the:
- Date,
- Cost of each expense,
- Name and location of the establishment,
- Business purpose, and
- Business relationship of the person(s) fed.
In addition, ask establishments to divvy up the tab between any entertainment costs and food/ beverages.
Need more information on this topic? Call Fiducial at 1-866-FIDUCIAL or make an appointment at one of our office locations to discuss your situation.
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For more small business COVID-19 resources, visit Fiducial’s Coronavirus Update Center to find information on SBA loans, tax updates, the Paycheck Protection Program, paid sick and family leave.
