WHEN ITEMIZING DEDUCTION FOR SELF EMPLOYMENT DO YOU ENTER EVERY MEAL (50%) THAT WAS EVER TAKEN OR DO YOU JUST WRITE A GENERAL "MEALS" DESCRIPTION WITH A TOTAL AMOUNT

[xmasbaby0]

Please explain what you mean by "every meal that was ever taken."    

[CesarJ · Accepted solution]

If you are self-employed, business meals are reported on Schedule C of your tax return, not as itemized deductions on Schedule A.

Generally, most business meals are only 50% deductible. When claiming this deduction on your tax return, you will enter the total annual amount for all business meals consumed during the year.

To input your business meal deduction, follow these steps:
 

1. Navigate to the Schedule C section:
   • TurboTax Online/Mobile: Go to the Schedule C screen under Wages & Income.
   • TurboTax Desktop:
     • Go to Federal Taxes.
     • Go to Wages & Income. 
     • Under Wages and Salaries, select Start or Update next to Business Income and Expenses (Sch C).
2. Answer Yes to Did you have any self-employment income or expenses? and answer the questions until you get the Select any expense categories you have screen.
3. Select your expenses, then Continue.
   • If you've already worked in this section, select Edit or Review next to your business.
4. Then select Start or Edit next to an expense type that you had.
5. Enter your expense description and amount, and follow the onscreen instructions.