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The Daily Insight

What meals are 50% deductible?

Author

Ava Robinson

Published Mar 30, 2026

Meal expense that are 50% deductible:

  • Meals directly related to business meetings of employees, stockholders, agents, and directors.
  • Office meetings and partner meetings.
  • Meals with clients, customers, and vendors that will benefit the business.
  • Meals while on business travel status.

Are business meals tax deductible?

Business meals at a restaurant are now fully tax deductible — at least for the next two years. To promote increased business spending at restaurants, the “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021” directed the IRS to increase the deduction from 50% to 100% of the cost of food and beverages provided by a restaurant.

Are business meals no longer deductible?

For 2018 and beyond, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) permanently eliminated deductions for most business-related entertainment expenses.

Are there still 50% deductions for business meals?

The IRS has issued guidance clarifying that taxpayers may generally continue to deduct 50% of food and beverage expenses. December 18, 2018. IRS Notice 2018-76 clarified that actual business meals — in which business is actually discussed — are still deductible.

When to claim business meal expenses on taxes?

“As a refresher, starting on Jan. 1, 2021, through Dec. 31, 2022, a business may claim 100 percent of food or beverage expenses paid to restaurants, assuming the business owner (or employee) is present when provided and the expense is not lavish or extravagant under the circumstances,” Nash explained.

Can you deduct a lunch as a business expense?

During the lunch, they complete the terms of a contract for Ivan’s consulting services. This meal led to a specific business benefit for Ivan. He can deduct 50 percent of the cost of both his and his client’s lunch as a business expense.

Can you deduct meals for employees while traveling?

Meals for employees while traveling, for all-employee events, or business meals, in general, are still deductible at 50%. Meals for employees at your location (think cafeteria or break room) are no longer deductible at 100%, but only at 50%.