123Notary
Enter Zip, City, or County... i.e. orange,NY or 90019
Search Method:    regular time edocs
Mobile Notary / Signing Agent Discussion ForumDear Signing Agents,
You need to REGISTER and have a password to post or reply to discussion topics. Please remember, your password for your listing on 123notary.com is NOT RELATED to and is different from your password on the forum. Your password on the forum can be whatever you want it to be.
Lookup a specific signing company, word, or phrase
Mobile Notary / Signing Agent Discussion Forum
Register | String Format | Index Format | Active Topics | Hot Topics | Preview Topics | Advanced Search | Members | Profile | Tutorial | FAQ
Username:
 Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

 All Forums
 The 123notary.com Forum for Signing Agents
 Free For All
 When can you deduct meals?		  New Topic  Reply to Topic
 Printer Friendly
1 -1  Be the first person to vote!
Author Previous Topic Topic Next Topic  

Khristaphoe

California
4 Posts
Posted - 03/22/2011 :  6:25:47 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I bought luch for a department of closing coordinators. Can I deduct that whole bill?
Go to Top of Page

LindaH

Florida
1754 Posts
Posted - 03/08/2011 :  08:05:03 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
My apologies...I should have pointed out I was responding specifically to Jeremy's #3 in the OP where he says he's not sure where they draw the line...IMO they DO draw the line in saying "substantial sleep or rest"..

Again, sorry - should have been clearer.

Linda
www.notarydepot.com/notary/lindah
http://www.notary.net/websites/LindaHubbell
Go to Top of Page

PWinFL

Florida
469 Posts
Posted - 03/08/2011 :  07:19:24 AM  Show Profile  Visit PWinFL's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Yes, that is one reason, but the IRS provides for TWO reasons:
quote:
You can deduct the cost of meals in either of the following situations.

* It is necessary for you to stop for substantial sleep or rest to properly perform your duties while traveling away from home on business.
* The meal is business-related entertainment.

You can deduct entertainment expenses only if they are both ordinary and necessary and meet one of the following tests.

* Directly-related test.
* Associated test.

Both of these tests are explained in detail by the IRS Pub 463. http://www.irs.gov/publications/p463/ch02.html

Never drive any faster than your guardian angel can fly.

I am not an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Florida,
and I may not give legal advice or accept fees for legal advice.

Visit us online at http://www.PAWnotary.com
Go to Top of Page

LindaH

Florida
1754 Posts
Posted - 03/08/2011 :  06:43:14 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
IRS Publication 463 specifies the criteria for deducting meals, one of which is:

"It is necessary for you to stop for substantial sleep or rest to properly perform your duties while traveling away from home on business"

http://www.irs.gov/publications/p463/ch01.html#en_US_2010_publink100033781

Many mobile notaries travel 100+ miles to do signings - they still don't qualify to take this deduction and I think it's becaue one key element is missing - the necessity to stop for substantial sleep or rest -



Linda
www.notarydepot.com/notary/lindah
http://www.notary.net/websites/LindaHubbell
Go to Top of Page

jbelmont

California
3106 Posts
Posted - 03/07/2011 :  4:46:16 PM  Show Profile  Visit jbelmont's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Its common for business people to deduct meals when they do their Schedule C at the end of the year. You can deduct half of the expenses for all business meals. But, what is a business meal? The rule is not so simple.

1. If you need with someone you work with for a meal for the purpose of talking about work, that is a business meal.

2. If you meet with someone who you do not work with, but its for the purpose of having a professional conversation about work related topics, that might qualify too.

3. If you are on a business trip (this is a gray line here), and have meals, then you can deduct half of the expense of those meals. If you are going to a notary job thirty minutes away, that is not a business trip. The IRS is looking for more long distance trips where perhaps you need a hotel, or are really out of your metro. I don't know how they draw the line, and I'm not sure if its stated. I would say 120 miles minimum to deduct meals.

4. If you do a signing at a restaurant, that might be your only opportunity to legally deduct a meal. Try it. Pay by credit card so you have a record.
  Previous Topic Topic Next Topic  
 New Topic  Reply to Topic
 Printer Friendly
Jump To:


Mobile Notary / Signing Agent Discussion Forum © 123notary.com Go To Top Of Page

Tips for using the forum
The most important feature on the forum is the search box. You can look up a particular word, phrase, name of a company, and see a potentially large list of search results with which you can obtain data. Filters are also valuable. If you want to find popular posts, you can use the number of views filter. You can also see whats new with the active topics link. Email us at info@123notary.com if you need any help using the notary forum.

Resources
The notary public resource page is valuable as it has links to all of the free information pages for notaries. Pages linked to the resource page include a page that teaches you everything you need to know to get the most out of your listing. Another page teaches you all the secrets of getting paid. There is a link to our free list of signing companies. There is also a glossary, learning tools, and much more. If you are a notary, the free tips we give are invaluable.

Popular pages
If you visit 123notary.com often, you might want to visit some of our most popular pages such as the California notary, Texas notary, Florida notary, and New York notary pages to browse the site. We also have valuable pages for notaries such as the free list of signing companies, and the resource page. Please also visit our get notarized and notarized letter page.