I tend to take a number of client meals, how much of this is really deductible on my taxes? I really do take clients out for lunch or dinner, and many times drinks, does anyone know if any of these or a portion of them are not deductible? I go out with clients on the weekends also, does that make any difference?

This is a tax Q in the corporate section of the forums. Steve the moderater is tbe best person to answer, but you can deduct 50% of all meals and entertainment with clients.

I recommend that you keep a mileage log and include business related meals on the same log. Upon IRS audit/examination, the IRS will request that you prove that the meals were business related. So, your mileage/meals log should have the following information:

Date of the travel/meal
Purpose of the travel/meal
Who attended the travel/meal
Distance of the miles & cost of the meal

FYI, meals for yourself alone are non-deductible unless you are traveling long distances for the business. Also, liquor served with a meal may be questioned. In addition, the cost of a sporting event is generally non-deductible as the IRS takes the position that its more of a social setting than a setting to conduct business.

Get your records in order for tax preparation and keep them forever.....plus a few days!!

Hope that helps.<br><br>Post edited by: steve, at: 2008/01/10 15:23

by sporting events you mean games at a stadium, not golf. Right? Because everyone does business on the golf course.

You are right.

The IRS takes the position that attendance at sporting events such as at a college football stadium is not directly-related or associated with the conduct of business, but rather the main purpose of such an event is for social entertainment.

Taxpayers must have more than a general expectation of getting income or some other specific business benefit at some future time as a result engaging in the entertainment.

Compare that with golf. Golfing is long associated with the conduct of business. Some exceptions apply. Consult your CPA tax advisor for more details.

Thanks. Sorry about posting it in the wrong section.