Tax Season

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by jdmara

I just can't see including meals between work and the game. I don't think the code allows that but maybe I'm mistaken.

I always think it's a successful year if I end up in positive territory.

-Josh

Why wouldn't the code allow such meals? They're allowed for business travel out of town (within limits).

[Drizzle]

Originally Posted by mbyron

Why wouldn't the code allow such meals? They're allowed for business travel out of town (within limits).

Publication 463 (2008), Travel, Entertainment, Gift, and Car Expenses

From what I can understand, unless you're traveling so far where you need a place to sleep, you cannot deduct meals. I'm not a tax professional, though.

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by Drizzle

Publication 463 (2008), Travel, Entertainment, Gift, and Car Expenses

From what I can understand, unless you're traveling so far where you need a place to sleep, you cannot deduct meals. I'm not a tax professional, though.

You can deduct the cost of meals in either of the following situations.

*

It is necessary for you to stop for substantial sleep or rest to properly perform your duties while traveling away from home on business.
*

The meal is business-related entertainment.





Which at the high school level is, basically, never.

Originally Posted by Drizzle

Publication 463 (2008), Travel, Entertainment, Gift, and Car Expenses

From what I can understand, unless you're traveling so far where you need a place to sleep, you cannot deduct meals. I'm not a tax professional, though.

This isn't the only situation listed. There's another one. But if you read the entire publication, it does appear as long as the meal was not extravagent or horribly expensive, and you are away from home long enough that it is impossible to eat a meal at home, it can be a business expense.

An example: an all-day business trip I took on behalf of my employer. It was a 2 1/2 hour drive one way, and I had breakfast before I left, and arrived back well before supper, so the employer reimbursed me for lunch because I was still on the road for lunch time.

I understand the same logic applies to meals when doing officiating. Since we normally leave at 3:30 or 4:00 for a long road trip to do a football game and sometimes don't arrive till midnight, dinner would be a business expense because we are not eating at home.