Meal expenses when subject to "hours of service" limits. Generally, you can deduct only 50% of your business-related meal expenses while traveling away from your tax home for business purposes. You can deduct a higher percentage if the meals take place during or incident to any period subject to the Department of Transportation's hours of service limits. (These limits apply to certain workers who are under certain federal regulations.) The percentage is 65% for 2003. Business meal expenses are covered in Chapter 1.
Limits that apply to employee deductions. If you are an employee, deduct your work-related expenses discussed in this publication as a miscellaneous itemized deduction on Schedule A (Form 1040). Generally, the amount of miscellaneous itemized deductions you can deduct is limited to the amount that is more than 2% of your adjusted gross income. It may be further limited if your adjusted gross income is more than $139,500 ($69,750 if you are married filing separately). How to report your expenses is covered in chapter 6.
Photographs of missing children. The Internal Revenue Service is a proud partner with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Photographs of missing children selected by the Center may appear in this publication on pages that would otherwise be blank. You can help bring these children home by looking at the photographs and calling 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678). if you recognize a child.
Information courtesy of the Internal Revenue Service.
