How to Maximize Your Business Meals and Entertainment Tax Deductions
Updated March 2026
Understanding the expenses you can and cannot write off for your small-to-mid-sized business is critical for optimizing your financial strategy in 2026. The business meals and entertainment tax deduction has been a valuable way for successful business owners to maximize their tax savings. However, because the rules can change and expenses can vary in terms of deductibility, business owners often have questions about this deduction.
In 2026, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB) tightens some business meals and workplace food tax rules. To ensure your business stays compliant, Tax Director J.J. Anderson offers these reminders:
Meals and snacks at the workplace are no longer deductible. In 2026, this is the most significant change. What’s known as de minimis fringe benefits or meals at the convenience of the employer, including in-office snacks, beverages, and dinner provided for employees working late that are not included on an employee’s income, are 0% deductible.
Business meeting meals are still deductible. Meals related to necessary business meetings are still 50% deductible.
Meals during business travel are deductible. If you are traveling for business, meals are generally deductible if the trip is overnight. Again, the deduction will be 50% for most business-related travel meals.
Entertainment expenses are not deductible, but company-wide events are. Expenses primarily for the benefit of employees, such as team-building activities or a companywide party, are 100% deductible. Buying tickets to take a business client to a sporting event or making a charitable contribution in return for tickets to a college athletic event are not deductible. You can, however, deduct meals consumed at these events, provided the costs are itemized separately on the receipts.
“Team building outings are a great opportunity to take advantage of the 100% deduction,” says J.J.. “This can even include entertainment elements like sporting event ticket purchases or other expenses associated with admission to similar activities.”
For more examples of what and how much you can deduct in 2026 based on current laws, check the table below:
Documentation is essential in case of an audit. Although your tax preparer may not need a copy of your dinner receipt, the IRS mandates that you keep a record of your receipts. Document who you were with, the purpose of the meal, and how it relates to your business should an audit occur.
If you have expenses abnormally higher than last year, this could be an area at risk for exposure to the IRS. Keeping documentation will help support an audit, should it happen. If you cannot substantiate your expenses, you will have to pay back the tax, penalties, and interest.
As tax laws continue to evolve, business owners should stay aware of any potential changes that could affect their bottom line.
Reducing your tax burden is essential to achieving long-term financial goals. Our in-house tax professionals play a vital role in helping our clients ensure they have explored all options to reduce any tax liabilities. To learn more about how our planning and tax teams can assist your practice, schedule a complimentary consultation.
