Disallowance of certain entertainment, etc., expenses
Entertainment, amusement, recreation, or qualified transportation fringes
In general
No deduction otherwise allowable under this chapter shall be allowed for any item—
Activity
Facility
Special rules
For purposes of applying paragraph (1)—
Dues or fees to any social, athletic, or sporting club or organization shall be treated as items with respect to facilities.
An activity described in section 212 shall be treated as a trade or business.
Denial of deduction for club dues
Qualified transportation fringes
Gifts
Limitation
No deduction shall be allowed under section 162 or section 212 for any expense for gifts made directly or indirectly to any individual to the extent that such expense, when added to prior expenses of the taxpayer for gifts made to such individual during the same taxable year, exceeds $25. For purposes of this section, the term “gift” means any item excludable from gross income of the recipient under section 102 which is not excludable from his gross income under any other provision of this chapter, but such term does not include—
an item having a cost to the taxpayer not in excess of $4.00 on which the name of the taxpayer is clearly and permanently imprinted and which is one of a number of identical items distributed generally by the taxpayer, or
a sign, display rack, or other promotional material to be used on the business premises of the recipient.
Special rules
In the case of a gift by a partnership, the limitation contained in paragraph (1) shall apply to the partnership as well as to each member thereof.
For purposes of paragraph (1), a husband and wife shall be treated as one taxpayer.
Certain foreign travel
In general
Exception
Paragraph (1) shall not apply to the expenses of any travel outside the United States away from home if—
such travel does not exceed one week, or
the portion of the time of travel outside the United States away from home which is not attributable to the pursuit of the taxpayer’s trade or business or an activity described in section 212 is less than 25 percent of the total time on such travel.
Domestic travel excluded
Substantiation required
No deduction or credit shall be allowed—
under section 162 or 212 for any traveling expense (including meals and lodging while away from home),
for any expense for gifts, or
with respect to any listed property (as defined in section 280F(d)(4)),
unless the taxpayer substantiates by adequate records or by sufficient evidence corroborating the taxpayer’s own statement (A) the amount of such expense or other item, (B) the time and place of the travel or the date and description of the gift, (C) the business purpose of the expense or other item, and (D) the business relationship to the taxpayer of the person receiving the benefit. The Secretary may by regulations provide that some or all of the requirements of the preceding sentence shall not apply in the case of an expense which does not exceed an amount prescribed pursuant to such regulations. This subsection shall not apply to any qualified nonpersonal use vehicle (as defined in subsection (i)).
Specific exceptions to application of subsection (a)
Subsection (a) shall not apply to—
Food and beverages for employees
Expenses treated as compensation
In general
Specified individuals
In general
Specified individual
For purposes of clause (i), the term “specified individual” means any individual who—
is subject to the requirements of section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 with respect to the taxpayer or a related party to the taxpayer, or
would be subject to such requirements if the taxpayer (or such related party) were an issuer of equity securities referred to in such section.
For purposes of this clause, a person is a related party with respect to another person if such person bears a relationship to such other person described in section 267(b) or 707(b).
Reimbursed expenses
Expenses paid or incurred by the taxpayer, in connection with the performance by him of services for another person (whether or not such other person is his employer), under a reimbursement or other expense allowance arrangement with such other person, but this paragraph shall apply—
where the services are performed for an employer, only if the employer has not treated such expenses in the manner provided in paragraph (2), or
where the services are performed for a person other than an employer, only if the taxpayer accounts (to the extent provided by subsection (d)) to such person.
Recreational, etc., expenses for employees
Employees, stockholder, etc., business meetings
Meetings of business leagues, etc.
Items available to public
Entertainment sold to customers
Expenses includible in income of persons who are not employees
For purposes of this subsection, any item referred to in subsection (a) shall be treated as an expense.
Interest, taxes, casualty losses, etc.
Treatment of entertainment, etc., type facility
Attendance at conventions, etc.
In general
In the case of any individual who attends a convention, seminar, or similar meeting which is held outside the North American area, no deduction shall be allowed under section 162 for expenses allocable to such meeting unless the taxpayer establishes that the meeting is directly related to the active conduct of his trade or business and that, after taking into account in the manner provided by regulations prescribed by the Secretary—
the purpose of such meeting and the activities taking place at such meeting,
the purposes and activities of the sponsoring organizations or groups,
the residences of the active members of the sponsoring organization and the places at which other meetings of the sponsoring organization or groups have been held or will be held, and
such other relevant factors as the taxpayer may present,
it is as reasonable for the meeting to be held outside the North American area as within the North American area.
Conventions on cruise ships
In the case of any individual who attends a convention, seminar, or other meeting which is held on any cruise ship, no deduction shall be allowed under section 162 for expenses allocable to such meeting, unless the taxpayer meets the requirements of paragraph (5) and establishes that the meeting is directly related to the active conduct of his trade or business and that—
the cruise ship is a vessel registered in the United States; and
all ports of call of such cruise ship are located in the United States or in possessions of the United States.
With respect to cruises beginning in any calendar year, not more than $2,000 of the expenses attributable to an individual attending one or more meetings may be taken into account under section 162 by reason of the preceding sentence.
Definitions
For purposes of this subsection—
North American area
Cruise ship
Subsection to apply to employer as well as to traveler
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), this subsection shall apply to deductions otherwise allowable under section 162 to any person, whether or not such person is the individual attending the convention, seminar, or similar meeting.
This subsection shall not deny a deduction to any person other than the individual attending the convention, seminar, or similar meeting with respect to any amount paid by such person to or on behalf of such individual if includible in the gross income of such individual. The preceding sentence shall not apply if the amount is required to be included in any information return filed by such person under part III of subchapter A of chapter 61 and is not so included.
Reporting requirements
No deduction shall be allowed under section 162 for expenses allocable to attendance at a convention, seminar, or similar meeting on any cruise ship unless the taxpayer claiming the deduction attaches to the return of tax on which the deduction is claimed—
a written statement signed by the individual attending the meeting which includes—
information with respect to the total days of the trip, excluding the days of transportation to and from the cruise ship port, and the number of hours of each day of the trip which such individual devoted to scheduled business activities,
a program of the scheduled business activities of the meeting, and
such other information as may be required in regulations prescribed by the Secretary; and
a written statement signed by an officer of the organization or group sponsoring the meeting which includes—
a schedule of the business activities of each day of the meeting,
the number of hours which the individual attending the meeting attended such scheduled business activities, and
such other information as may be required in regulations prescribed by the Secretary.
Treatment of conventions in certain Caribbean countries
In general
For purposes of this subsection, the term “North American area” includes, with respect to any convention, seminar, or similar meeting, any beneficiary country if (as of the time such meeting begins)—
there is in effect a bilateral or multilateral agreement described in subparagraph (C) between such country and the United States providing for the exchange of information between the United States and such country, and
there is not in effect a finding by the Secretary that the tax laws of such country discriminate against conventions held in the United States.
Beneficiary country
Authority to conclude exchange of information agreements
In general
Nondisclosure of qualified confidential information sought for civil tax purposes
An exchange of information agreement need not provide for the exchange of qualified confidential information which is sought only for civil tax purposes if—
the Secretary of the Treasury, after making all reasonable efforts to negotiate an agreement which includes the exchange of such information, determines that such an agreement cannot be negotiated but that the agreement which was negotiated will significantly assist in the administration and enforcement of the tax laws of the United States, and
the President determines that the agreement as negotiated is in the national security interest of the United States.
Qualified confidential information defined
Civil tax purposes
Coordination with other provisions
Determinations published in the Federal Register
The following shall be published in the Federal Register—
any determination by the President under subparagraph (C)(ii) (including the reasons for such determination),
any determination by the Secretary under subparagraph (C)(ii) (including the reasons for such determination), and
any finding by the Secretary under subparagraph (A)(ii) (and any termination thereof).
Seminars, etc. for section 212 purposes
Qualified nonpersonal use vehicle
Employee achievement awards
General rule
Deduction limitations
The deduction for the cost of an employee achievement award made by an employer to an employee—
which is not a qualified plan award, when added to the cost to the employer for all other employee achievement awards made to such employee during the taxable year which are not qualified plan awards, shall not exceed $400, and
which is a qualified plan award, when added to the cost to the employer for all other employee achievement awards made to such employee during the taxable year (including employee achievement awards which are not qualified plan awards), shall not exceed $1,600.
Definitions
For purposes of this subsection—
Employee achievement award
In general
The term “employee achievement award” means an item of tangible personal property which is—
transferred by an employer to an employee for length of service achievement or safety achievement,
awarded as part of a meaningful presentation, and
awarded under conditions and circumstances that do not create a significant likelihood of the payment of disguised compensation.
Tangible personal property
For purposes of clause (i), the term “tangible personal property” shall not include—
cash, cash equivalents, gift cards, gift coupons, or gift certificates (other than arrangements conferring only the right to select and receive tangible personal property from a limited array of such items pre-selected or pre-approved by the employer), or
vacations, meals, lodging, tickets to theater or sporting events, stocks, bonds, other securities, and other similar items.
Qualified plan award
In general
Limitation
Special rules
For purposes of this subsection—
Partnerships
Length of service awards
Safety achievement awards
An item provided by an employer to an employee shall not be treated as having been provided for safety achievement if—
during the taxable year, employee achievement awards (other than awards excludable under section 132(e)(1)) for safety achievement have previously been awarded by the employer to more than 10 percent of the employees of the employer (excluding employees described in clause (ii)), or
such item is awarded to a manager, administrator, clerical employee, or other professional employee.
Business meals
In general
No deduction shall be allowed under this chapter for the expense of any food or beverages unless—
such expense is not lavish or extravagant under the circumstances, and
the taxpayer (or an employee of the taxpayer) is present at the furnishing of such food or beverages.
Exceptions
Paragraph (1) shall not apply to—
any expense described in paragraph (2), (3), (4), (7), (8), or (9) of subsection (e), and
any other expense to the extent provided in regulations.
Transportation and commuting benefits
In general
Exception
Additional limitations on travel expenses
Luxury water transportation
In general
Exceptions
Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to—
any expense allocable to a convention, seminar, or other meeting which is held on any cruise ship, and
any expense described in paragraph (2), (3), (4), (7), (8), or (9) of subsection (e).
Travel as form of education
Travel expenses of spouse, dependent, or others
No deduction shall be allowed under this chapter (other than section 217) for travel expenses paid or incurred with respect to a spouse, dependent, or other individual accompanying the taxpayer (or an officer or employee of the taxpayer) on business travel, unless—
the spouse, dependent, or other individual is an employee of the taxpayer,
the travel of the spouse, dependent, or other individual is for a bona fide business purpose, and
such expenses would otherwise be deductible by the spouse, dependent, or other individual.
Only 50 percent of meal expenses allowed as deduction
In general
Exceptions
Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any expense if—
such expense is described in paragraph (2), (3), (4), (7), (8), or (9) of subsection (e),
in the case of an employer who pays or reimburses moving expenses of an employee, such expenses are includible in the income of the employee under section 82, or
such expense is for food or beverages—
required by any Federal law to be provided to crew members of a commercial vessel,
provided to crew members of a commercial vessel—
which is operating on the Great Lakes, the Saint Lawrence Seaway, or any inland waterway of the United States, and
which is of a kind which would be required by Federal law to provide food and beverages to crew members if it were operated at sea,
provided on an oil or gas platform or drilling rig if the platform or rig is located offshore, or
provided on an oil or gas platform or drilling rig, or at a support camp which is in proximity and integral to such platform or rig, if the platform or rig is located in the United States north of 54 degrees north latitude.
Clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (C) shall not apply to vessels primarily engaged in providing luxury water transportation (determined under the principles of subsection (m)). In the case of the employee, the exception of subparagraph (A) shall not apply to expenses described in subparagraph (B).
Special rule for individuals subject to Federal hours of service
1 Regulatory authority
Source
(Added Pub. L. 87–834, § 4(a)(1),Notes
Amendment of Section
References in Text
Amendments
Effective Date of 2017 Amendment
In general.—
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section [amending this section and section 7701 of this title] shall apply to amounts incurred or paid after
Effective date for elimination of deduction for meals provided at convenience of employer.—
The amendments made by subsection (d) [amending this section] shall apply to amounts incurred or paid after
Effective Date of 2014 Amendment
Effective Date of 2005 Amendment
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Clauses (i) and (ii) of section 274(n)(2)(F) [now 274(n)(2)(C)] of the 1986 Code, as added by subsection (a), shall apply to taxable years beginning after
Clauses (iii) and (iv) of section 274(n)(2)(F) [now 274(n)(2)(C)] of the 1986 Code, as added by subsection (a), shall apply to taxable years beginning after
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Effective Date of 1985 Amendment
Repeals.—
The amendment and repeals made by subsections (a) and (b) of section 1 [amending this section and repealing section 179(b)(2), (3) of Pub. L. 98–369 which had amended sections 6653 and 6695 of this title] shall take effect as if included in the amendments made by section 179(b) of the Tax Reform Act of 1984 [Pub. L. 98–369].
Restoration of Prior Law for 1985.—
For taxable years beginning in 1985, section 274(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954] shall apply as it read before the amendments made by section 179(b)(1) of the Tax Reform Act of 1984 [Pub. L. 98–369, see 1984 Amendments note above].
Exception From Substantiation Requirements for Qualified Nonpersonal Use Vehicles.—
The amendments made by section 2 [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
Effective Date of 1978 Amendment
Effective Date of 1976 Amendment
Effective Date of 1964 Amendment
Effective Date
Regulations
Savings Provision
Termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
Plan Amendments Not Required Until January 1, 1989
Certain Recordkeeping Requirements
Substantiation by Adequate Contemporaneous Records
Use of Facilities in Case of Independent Contractors, Etc.
In general.—
Subsection (a) of section 274 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954] (relating to disallowance of certain entertainment, etc., expenses) shall not apply to expenses paid or incurred by the taxpayer for goods, services, and facilities to the extent that the expenses are includible in the gross income of a recipient of the entertainment, amusement, or recreation who is not an employee of the taxpayer as compensation for services rendered or as a prize or award under section 74 of such Code.
Information return requirement.—
Clause (i) shall not apply to any amount paid or incurred by the taxpayer if such amount is required to be included in any information return filed by such taxpayer under part III of subchapter A of chapter 61 of such Code [section 6031 et seq. of this title] and is not so included.
Application of subparagraph.—
This subparagraph shall only apply with respect to expenses paid or incurred during 1979 or 1980.”