10/16/2026
Business lunch? Keep the conversation productive and your records organized. Here are four steps to follow:
1️⃣ PAY WITH YOUR BUSINESS CARD
Keep business and personal spending separate to make bookkeeping easier. Remember: paying with a business card alone doesn’t make a meal tax-deductible.
2️⃣ DOCUMENT THE MEETING
Record the date, time, restaurant, who attended, and their connection to your business. Include the specific business purpose—for example, “Met with a prospective client to discuss a service proposal.”
3️⃣ SIGN, TIP & SAVE THE RECEIPT
Complete payment and keep the itemized receipt along with the final total, including your tip. Snap a clear photo before leaving so you have a digital copy.
4️⃣ RECORD & CATEGORIZE THE EXPENSE
Enter the meal in your bookkeeping system and attach the receipt and meeting notes. For U.S. federal taxes, qualifying business meals are generally 50% deductible, with exceptions. The meal must meet the applicable business-purpose rules, you or an employee must be present, and the expense cannot be lavish or extravagant.
Good records start before tax season. Save this checklist for your next business lunch!