Deduction of Meals for Life Skills training

[gpklos]

I'm doing our taxes and my wife is a Case Worker for Life Skills to disabled children and adults.  Part of her job is take these disabled children and adults out to lunches and dinners, and to "entertain" them, to teach them life skills, whether just socializing, etc.  We were told she can deduct the meals that she provides at restaurants, etc.  Also we were told we can deduct the entertainment expenses.  Is this true?  This doesn't seem to be the normal "taking a client out to eat or to some type of entertainment".  It is part of the education of the children and adults.  My wife is an independent contractor and doesn't get reimbursed from the company she works for these expenses.  I'm trying to figure out how to do the deductions for these.  Is it at 50% or 100% for meals?  I see entertainment expenses are no longer deductible, but is this really entertainment if it is to teach them??  Also then how do I categorize this in Turbo Tax?

Thanks for the help,

Gary

[MinhT1 · Accepted solution]

These meals can be considered business meals and are deductible at 50% of their cost. You would categorize them as Meals (50% limit) in TurboTax.

Please read this IRS document for more information.