The IRS Clarifies the Temporary 100% Meal Deduction for 2021-2022
Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, business expense deductions for Meals (normally limited to 50%) are temporarily allowed at 100% under specific rules.
- Only applies to
- Amounts paid or incurred after Dec. 31, 2020, and before Jan. 1, 2023
- Paid to a Restaurant
- a business that prepares and sells food or beverages to retail customers for immediate consumption, regardless of whether the food or beverages are consumed on the business’s premises
- Does not apply to:
- Payments to a business that primarily sells prepackaged food or beverages not for immediate consumption, including a grocery store; specialty food store; beer, wine, or liquor store; drug store; convenience store; newsstand; or a vending machine or kiosk
- Any eating facility located on the employer’s business premises and used in furnishing meals excluded from an employee’s gross income under Sec. 119; or
- Any employer-operated eating facility treated as a de minimis fringe under Sec. 132(e)(2), even if that eating facility is operated by a third party under Regs. Sec. 1.132-7(a)(3).
