@Gen_Joab
The various rules and publications are interdependent, and the definition of “meal” in publication 517 requires an understanding of publication 463, even if it doesn’t exactly say so.
Your deductible meals are certain local meals that were work-related, and your travel meals if you travel away from home for work purposes. If you use the federal MEI rate, you can enter 100% of the meal portion of the MEI rate. If you use your actual expenses, enter 50% of your actual expenses, regardless of the instructions on the work sheet.
