2026 Meals and Entertainment Tax Deduction Guide

If you've been deducting office snacks, cafeteria meals, or overtime food, that changes in 2026.

Business meals with clients stay 50% deductible. Company events stay 100% deductible. But the line between what counts and what doesn't matters more now.

This guide shows you exactly what's deductible, what's not, and what documentation protects you.

What you'll get:

• Quick-reference chart showing which meal expenses are deductible in 2026 and at what rate
• Documentation requirements the IRS needs for every deductible meal (miss this and you lose the deduction)
• Industry examples so you can see exactly how these rules apply to your business