Meal expenses are deductible only if your trip is overnight or long enough that you need to stop for sleep or rest to properly perform your duties. The amount of the meal expenses must be substantiated, but instead of keeping records of the actual cost of your meal expenses you can generally use a standard meal allowance ranging from $30 to $50 in 2003 depending on where and when you travel.

Generally, the deduction for unreimbursed business meals is limited to 50% of the cost that would otherwise be deductible.

For more information on business travel expenses and restrictions, refer to Tax Topic 511 , or Publication 463, Travel, Entertainment, Gift, and Car Expenses, and Publication 1542, Per Diem Rates .

References:

• Publication 463, Travel, Entertainment, Gift, and Car Expenses
• Tax Topic 511, Business travel expenses
• Publication 1542, Per Diem Rates