https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/self-employed-group/discussion/re-meal-expense-question-for-self-employed/01/3194621#M12959 <P>No, you would need to be away overnight, meaning a long enough time that you would need to sleep in a bed.</P> Fri, 16 Feb 2024 15:06:00 GMT ThomasM125 2024-02-16T15:06:00Z https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/self-employed-group/discussion/meal-expense-question-for-self-employed/01/3194221#M12948 <P>I am having trouble interpreting the IRS rule "<SPAN>Generally, reimbursed non-entertainment-related meal expenses are deductible if your business trip is overnight or long enough that you need to stop for substantial sleep or rest to properly perform your duties."&nbsp; As a self-employed, I take frequent long-day trips where I leave early in the morning (usually before 7 am) and fly to my temporary location, then return home (usually after 9 pm).&nbsp; I know I can deduct the actual air travel, rental car, etc., but for a less than 24 hr trip, can I deduct my own meal expenses since it is such a long day?</SPAN></P> Wed, 11 Feb 2026 03:09:03 GMT https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/self-employed-group/discussion/meal-expense-question-for-self-employed/01/3194221#M12948 CA_consultant 2026-02-11T03:09:03Z https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/self-employed-group/discussion/re-meal-expense-question-for-self-employed/01/3194621#M12959 <P>No, you would need to be away overnight, meaning a long enough time that you would need to sleep in a bed.</P> Fri, 16 Feb 2024 15:06:00 GMT https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/self-employed-group/discussion/re-meal-expense-question-for-self-employed/01/3194621#M12959 ThomasM125 2024-02-16T15:06:00Z