Deductions for self-employment: Can I claim all meals (50% deduction) as one lump sum? Or do I have to enter each meal expense separately?

[gavin-n-keens]

I am self employed. I have calculated a total dollar amount on meals purchased during work. I don't want to take the time to enter each purchase. Can I simply enter the sum total?

[SusanY1]

You can enter a sum total.

[AmeliesUncle]

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@gavin-n-keens wrote:
I am self employed. I have calculated a total dollar amount on meals purchased during work.

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Just to clarify ... "meals purchased during work" are not a tax deduction.

Business meals with clients or customers can be a deduction.

Meals when you are out-of-town overnight are a tax deduction.

Otherwise, your personal meals are not a deduction.

[bevital]

One says yes . . . one says no . . . coin flip? Can self employed deduct their meals. I.e. can Uber Drivers expense their meals while working?

[xmasbaby0]

NO Uber drivers cannot claim meal expenses while working.   

What tax information can I import from Uber?

You can import your Uber income info which includes the following:

·         1099-MISC Form

·         1099-K Form

Your mileage, tolls, and other expense info from your Uber Tax Summary won’t be imported. We have instructions on how to enter your expenses from your Uber Tax Summary.

Related Information:

·         How does importing from Uber work?

·         How do I import my income information from Uber?

·         How do I enter my expenses from my Uber Tax Summary into TurboTax Self-Employed Online?

·         What self-employed expenses can I deduct?

Tax Tips for Uber, Lyft, Sidecar and other Car Sharing Drivers FAQ

 https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/tax-tips/Self-Employment-Taxes/Tax-Tips-for-Uber--Lyft--Sideca... 

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/charges-and-fees/help/how-can-i-apply-my-uber-discount-to-my-turbo...

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