Can I write off meals?

Meals can be written off as a tax deduction if they are business-related. This includes meals during business travel, meals with clients or potential clients where business is discussed, and meals at a conference or other business event. However, only 50% of the cost of the meal can be deducted. The meal cannot be lavish or extravagant under the circumstances, and the taxpayer or an employee of the taxpayer must be present at the meal. For example, if you are a freelancer and you take a client out to lunch to discuss a project, you can deduct 50% of the cost of that meal. However, if you simply go out to lunch for personal reasons, that meal is not deductible.