Use federal per diem rates for travel meals — deduct without receipts.
Rev Proc 2019-48 lets self-employed and employees use the GSA/DoD per diem M&IE (Meals & Incidental Expenses) rate for the travel destination in lieu of tracking actual receipts. Rates range $59–$92/day (2024) depending on city — high-cost locales (SF, NYC, Boston, HI) hit $92. On a 20-night business trip to NYC: 20 × $79 × 50% = $790 deduction with ZERO receipts. Self-employed can use it for meals only (not lodging).
Click Generate advisory deep dive for mechanics, IRC citations, a step-by-step execution plan, a worked numeric example on your profile, costs, risks, and this-week actions.
Deduct half of client, prospect, and travel meals — bulletproof with the right log.
Break-room coffee, snacks, and water — 100% deductible, not 50%.
Free meals to employees on business premises — deductible to employer, tax-free to worker.
Restaurant owners recover employer FICA paid on employee tips as a dollar-for-dollar tax credit.
10-year SBA 7(a) or 25-year 504 to buy, build, or refi a restaurant — 10% down.
USDA guarantees loans up to $25M for food businesses in towns <50K population.
Run 3–8 delivery-only brands from one kitchen; each new brand adds revenue at ~zero incremental fixed cost.
Finance $50K–$500K in kitchen equipment with no personal guarantee for established operators.