Tax Help Archives  
Pub. 463, Travel, Entertainment, Gift, and Car Expenses 2004 Tax Year

This is archived information that pertains only to the 2004 Tax Year. If you
are looking for information for the current tax year, go to the Tax Prep Help Area.

Figure A. Does the 50% Limit Apply to Your Expenses? Summary: This is a flowchart used to determine if employees and self-employed persons need to put a 50% limit on their business expense deductions.Start. This is the starting of the flowchart.Decision (1). Were your meal and entertainment expenses reimbursed? (Count only reimbursements your employer did not include in box 1 of your Form W-2. If self-employed, count only reimbursements from clients or customers that are not included on Form 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Income.)

IF Yes Continue To Decision (2)
IF No Continue To Process (a)

Decision (2). If an employee, did you adequately account to your employer under an accountable plan? If self-employed, did you provide the payer with adequate records? (See How To Report.)

IF Yes Continue To Decision (3)
IF No Continue To Process (a)

Decision (3). Did your expenses exceed the reimbursement?

IF Yes Continue To Decision (4)
IF No Continue To Process (b)

Decision (4). 

FOR the amount reimbursed... Continue To Process (b)
FOR the excess amount... Continue To Process (a)

Process (a). Your meal and entertainment expenses ARE subject to the 50% limit.

Continue To End

Process (b). Your meal and entertainment expenses are NOT subject to the 50% limit. However, since the reimbursement was not treated as wages or as other taxable income, you cannot deduct the expenses.

Continue To End

End. This is the ending of the flowchart.

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