Clear Tax Accountants Clears the Air on What Meals You Can and Can't Claim This Tax Season

MELBOURNE, Australia - Sept. 11, 2025 - PRLog -- Meal Costs Aren't Always Deductible—Here's When They Are

Food and drink are usually personal expenses, and most of the time you can't claim them on tax. But there are two clear exceptions: when you're on overnight work travel or working overtime.

If you both bought and ate the meal while working overtime, and received a proper overtime meal allowance, you may claim that cost. The allowance must come under a valid award or agreement, and be reported as income on your return.

In these cases, you can deduct the actual cost of the meal, even if you don't hold a receipt, so long as the amount stays below the ATO's "reasonable amount." If you go over it, you'll need written proof of what you paid.

On the other hand, meals or snacks consumed during normal working hours, even using your own money, cannot be claimed. That includes a coffee during a break or dinner between jobs, even if the meals overlap with your shifts.

What the ATO Expects from You If You Claim

If your claim is under the reasonable amount (currently $37.65 for 2024–25) and you hold a proper meal allowance, you don't have to keep the receipt.

However, you must still be able to show:

• That the expense was incurred while working overtime
• That the allowance was correctly declared as income
• How you calculated your total deduction

Words from Our Director

"Snacks at your desk or coffee between shifts don't count as deductible," says Yuvraj Verma, Director and Co-Founder at Clear Tax Accountants. "But if you've worked overtime, received an allowance, and bought a meal, there's a genuine claim there, just make sure you stay within the rules."

How We Can Help You File Smart and Safe

At Clear Tax Accountants, we guide clients through what counts and what doesn't when it comes to their deductions. We help you:

• Confirm eligibility for overtime meal claims
• Check that allowances are correctly reported
• Keep the right records (even without receipts if within limits)
• Avoid claims that are likely to get flagged by the ATO

Take the Guesswork Out of Your Return

This tax season, don't let uncertainty around meals cost you valuable time or money. If you've worked overtime and received an allowance, it's worth checking whether your meal claim is legitimate and compliant.

Get in touch with https://cleartax.com.au/ today. Let's make sure your claim is clear, correct, and done with confidence.