Business meals

How to expense your meals with clients?

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Written by Fanny Silheres
Updated over a week ago

Freelancers and traders can declare the costs of meals with clients or partners as a business expense.

How much can I deduct?

Since you took part in the meal, and had a "personal benefit", you cannot deduct the whole meal as a business expense, but only 70% of it.

If you are not a small business owner and pay VAT, then the VAT paid is fully deductible.

How to prove this expense? 

Restaurants can provide you with a special catering receipt (Bewirtungsbeleg) where you should note down the following details:

  1. The date of the meal

  2. The location of the meal

  3. The participants of the meal, make sure that your name is there too.

  4. The purpose of the meal - try to make it as detailed as possible.

  5. Your signature 

Sorted tax guides are provided without liability and do not replace a tax advisor.
To get an accurate answer for your specific case, please consult a tax advisor.
You can always ask one of tax advisors on the Sorted platform.

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