Meals and Travel Deductions: What Business Owners Need to Know in 2026

What's in this episode

You spend money on meals and travel all the time; Client lunches, flights, hotels, conferences, team dinners, and networking events are all part of running a business. But most business owners don’t know what is actually deductible anymore. In this episode, Mike breaks down the 2026 rules for meals, travel, and entertainment deductions. He explains what still qualifies, what changed, what is no longer deductible, and how business owners can turn everyday spending into legitimate tax savings without creating unnecessary IRS risk. 👉 Get the Free Tax Savings Starter Kit Built for Small Business Owners: https://www.taxsavingspodcast.com/starterkit 🚀 Book your free demo call today. Click here or visit: https://taxelm.com/demo/ Chapters 00:58 Why Meals and Travel Deductions Matter Meals and travel are common business expenses, but many owners either under-deduct or deduct the wrong things. The goal is to turn qualified spending into pre-tax deductions with a clear business purpose. 02:30 How to Deduct Meals in 2026 Most business meals are 50% deductible in 2026. This includes client lunches, vendor meetings, and prospect meals, as long as there is a real business discussion. 04:30 When