Tag Archives: Meals

Per Diem Wasted

Today TaxMama hears from Bob in the TaxQuips Forum, who is trying to get it right. Let me summarize.  “I live in NJ and had a temporary job in DC for 6 months in 2010 (total 196 calendar days). I used Pub 1542 [per diem rates] for DC of $258 per day ($65 M&IE and […]

Vacation to Orlando

Today TaxMama hears from Shaun in the TaxQuips Forum who wants to write off his vacation. “My son and I are traveling to Florida. I have a property in Jacksonville, FL that I need to check on. Can I fly in and out of Jacksonville to take care of business? Then drive to Orlando for […]

Firefighter-EMT Meals

Today TaxMama hears from Janice in the Tax Parlor who asks, ” I have a client who is an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician). His shifts are 24 hours at a time. Are EMT’s on 24-hour shifts eligible to deduct per diem for meals? Of course he says that his coworkers take the deduction. ” ~~~~ […]

Per Diem Income

Today TaxMama hears from Scot in Los Angeles who tells us, “I am working on a television show that is moving around the American north west. Our crew is receiving $40 a day each in per diems. Should this money be taxed? If yes, will members of the crew who don’t itemize lose money?”

Not Your Meals

Today TaxMama hears from Megan who is appalled, “I heard that when deducting expenses for a business lunch (say, you and a client went out for lunch to talk shop), you are only allowed to deduct 50% of the price of the meal. That is, only their portion of the bill as a legitimate tax […]