Here’s an update to the following blog that you may be interested in:
Tax Update: Entertainment Clarified
Businesses of all sizes and across all industries need to be aware that the business deductions for 2018 meals and entertainment have changed following tax reform.
In general, the old provisions were 50 percent deductible on the taxpayer’s federal return for meals and entertainment if they were business-related. Miscellaneous food and beverages provided to employees (parties, picnics, at the business) were fully deductible. But the new rules are more stringent. Companies will need to report differently, and ensure that meal and entertainment costs are being tracked separately.
In preparing for proper tax reporting for 2018, it’s important to start new tracking methods in accordance with the new rules now, rather than later. A comprehensive chart is provided below to summarize proper treatment for many types of meals and entertainment expenditures under the law applicable both before and after the act.
| 2017 Expense | 2018 Expense | |
| Office Holiday Party or Picnic | 100% deductible | 100% deductible |
| Client Business Meals | 50% deductible if taxpayer is present, and not lavish or extravagant | 50% deductible if business is conducted, taxpayer is present, and not lavish or extravagant |
| Entertainment-related Meals | 50% deductible | No deduction (e.g, meals incurred when no business is conducted, potentially at night clubs, cocktail lounges, theaters, country clubs, golf and athletic clubs, sporting events, and on hunting, fishing, vacation and similar trips) |
| Transportation to/from Restaurant for Client Business Meal | 100% deductible | 100% deductible |
| Sporting Event Tickets |
50% deductible for face value of ticket (anything above face value is non-deductible)
50% deductible for skybox expenses to the extent of non-luxury seat ticket face value in such box
100% deductible for charitable sports events
Contributions for the right to purchase tickets to an educational institution’s athletic events 80% deductible
50% for transportation to/from and parking at sporting events |
No deduction |
| Club Memberships | No deduction for club dues; however, 50% deduction for expenses incurred at a club organized for business, pleasure, recreation, or other social purposes if related to an active trade or business | No deduction |
| Meals Provided for the Convenience of Employer | 100% deductible provided they are excludible from employees’ gross income as de minimis fringe benefits under §119(a); otherwise 50% deductible | 50% deductible (nondeductible after 2025) |
| Meals Provided to Employees Occasionally and Overtime Employee Meals | 100% deductible provided they are excludible from employees’ gross income as de minimis fringe benefits under §132(e)(1); otherwise 50% deductible | 50% deductible (nondeductible after 2025) |
| Water, Coffee, and Snacks at the Office | 100% deductible provided they are excludible from employees’ gross income as de minimis fringe benefits under §132(e)(1); otherwise 50% deductible | 50% deductible (nondeductible after 2025) |
| Meals in Office During Meetings of Employees, Stockholders, Agents, or Directors | 50% deductible | 50% deductible |
| Meals During Business Travel | 50% deductible | 50% deductible |
| Meals included in Charitable Sports Package | 100% deductible | 50% deductible |
| Meals Included as Taxable Compensation to Employee or Independent Contractor | 100% Deductible | 100% Deductible |
| Meals Expenses Sold to a Client or Customer (or Reimbursed) | 100% Deductible | 100% Deductible |
| Food Offered to the Public for Free (e.g., at a Seminar, Holiday Open House, etc. | 100% Deductible | 100% Deductible |
To ensure your business is in compliance with these new rules, contact a K·Coe Isom advisor for guidance.
