Discussion:Deductibility of meals for fireman
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Jerimiah789 (talk|edits) said: | 12 February 2007 |
| My husband is a fireman and they provide all their food as they are on 24 hours straight - are these meals deductible. thanks - Jerimiah789 | |
| February 12, 2007 | |
| Do a search on that...wait, jerimiah is an odd name for a wife! Been discussed a couple times specifically and there's some incorrect thinking out there on this issue. | |
Death&Taxes (talk|edits) said: | 12 February 2007 |
| I'll make it easy: Discussion: Firefighter -- Meals while on 24 hr shift | |
Bottom Line (talk|edits) said: | 12 February 2007 |
| My husband's a fireman too. It's amazing what they come up with in the station. Worse than a group of old hens :) | |
| 12 February 2007 | |
| Given that it is the employer's benefit and the employer to to restrict the employee from benefiting a good meal outside of the place of employment, Yes. | |
Death&Taxes (talk|edits) said: | 12 February 2007 |
| Read the discussion above and Riley's cite of the Sibla case. | |
Bottom Line (talk|edits) said: | 12 February 2007 |
| Sorry Pegoo - the only way they get it is if they are REQUIRED to pay into a general meal fund whether they eat the meal or not. | |
| 12 February 2007 | |
| Does anyone know of any firefighter funds where they are REQUIRED to pay into a meal fund? I would think the firefighter unions (or lawsuits) would have gotten rid of all of those. | |
Firefightertaxpayer (talk|edits) said: | 13 February 2007 |
| Yes PVVCPA, I am a member of the IAFF union and am required by my department to pay into a meal fund whether I choose to eat the meals or not. This requirement is not at all unusual for a professional fire department. I've never heard of the union being opposed to this, nor would I imagine that they would be. These funds go to individual meals for the day as well as general "slush" funds which includes things like ketchup, butter, cooking oil, spices, and other basics. This fund ensures firefighters have quality meals available to them. Without it, we would run the risk of having firefighters not eat, which is not good. If a firefighter is short on cash for the day we can be sure there will still be food for them available at the station because of this fund. Additionally, it saves money. Buying food in bulk is much cheaper than buying food individually. The problem is, the public often thinks our meals are bought with tax dollars. (I've actually had someone stop me in a grocery and tell me I should be buying cheaper meat.) Our meals are paid out of our own pockets and not reimbursed by the department. In my case, our shifts are 48 hours long. There's no question the meals are deductible. I've been told we are subject to the DOT hours of service limits, like truckers, whose meals are deductible at 75% rather than 50%. I tend to doubt this, but am looking for clarification. Does anyone know of anything that states this IN WRITING? | |
Bottom Line (talk|edits) said: | 13 February 2007 |
| Firefightertaxpayer - make sure you have a copy of that requirement in writing for your records. Someday the IRS will take a closer look at this.
My husband's shifts are 24 on/48 off. They pool their money and cook meals together but the department and/or the union do not REQUIRE it. They can do an amazing amount with $10 per shift per person for a three person crew! | |
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