Submitted By: someone
Answered: July 22, 2019 3:11 am

I’m self-employed and use the M&IE standard federal per diem rates for meal costs while away from home. If I take a customer to lunch, can I base my deduction on the actual cost of that meal?

The M&IE is broken down to breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus incidental costs. The IRS hasn’t said whether you can use the M&IE rates for some meals and actual costs for others on the same day.

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Tax Glossary

Foreign tax credit

A credit for income taxes paid to a foreign country or U.S. possession. 401(k) plan. A deferred pay plan, authorized by Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code, under which a percentage of an employee’s salary is withheld and placed in a savings account or the company’s profit-sharing plan. Income accumulates on the deferred amount until withdrawn by the employee at age 59?

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