It's a Business Lunch If I Talked About Work for 2 Minutes

Money Myths & Tax Facts Series – Ford & Associates

“As long as I mention work during the meal, I can write the whole thing off, right?”

If that were true, half the population would be writing off brunch. (

The CRA doesn’t buy that your lunch with Aunt Karen was business-related just because you briefly mentioned your LinkedIn profile between bites of fettuccine.

To qualify as a legitimate meals and entertainment deduction, the expense must:

Be incurred to earn business income

Be reasonable in the circumstances

Involve a client, prospect, or business associate

And even if it qualifies, CRA only allows 50% of the cost. Yes, even if the food was terrible.

💡 Here’s What Actually Counts:

✅ A meeting over lunch with a client to review a proposal ✅ Taking a supplier out to discuss contract terms ✅ Entertaining a prospect to pitch your services ✅ Attending a conference that includes a networking dinner

🚫 Grabbing sushi with your friend who also owns a business (but you just talked about Taylor Swift and traffic)

To protect yourself (and your write-off), always record:

The business purpose of the meeting

The receipt (not just the debit charge on your bank app)

Write it right on the receipt. Yes, really. (Or better yet, scan it into your accounting software with a note.)

😂 Tax Chuckle of the Week:

Q: What do you call a business lunch without receipts or notes? A: An expensive sandwich.

✅ Ford & Associates Pro Tip:

When in doubt, ask yourself:

“Would this look legit to a CRA agent who wasn’t invited to the meal?”

We can help you build bulletproof bookkeeping habits for all your meals, miles, and miscellaneous spending—without the CRA indigestion.

📥 Want help separating tax facts from food fiction? Let’s chat over lunch... but don’t worry, we’ll write this one off properly. Visit fordassociates.ca to book a consult or contact us anytime.