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Can I write off expenses on my taxes if I sit on a non-profit board?

I am the president of a non-profit "Friends of the Library" board, lately the other board members want to meet at a local restaurant to have the meetings over dinner. Can I write that off on my taxes? If so, how would I do it?

6 Answers

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  • Anonymous
    8 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    For a charity? No. Just some mileage.

  • 8 years ago

    It depends. Do you itemize? Or do you take the standard deduction?

    If you itemize, then you can take 50% of the cost of meals off your taxes, but not the full amount. You keep the receipts and total them at the end of the year. (I always write on the top of my receipts what the purpose of the meeting was, so you would write "Friend of the Library board meeting." Then I think it goes on Schedule A of your 1040 in the U.S. You can also deduct mileage when you drive to meetings. Just write down the beginning and ending odometer reading and the total mileage. Of course, you can itemize your financial contributions as well.

    Unless you're high income or self-employed, you probably won't get audited, but keep the receipts and mileage log for about three years, just in case.

  • 8 years ago

    Local meals, no. If you had to travel away from home overnight you could deduct the cost of transportation and lodging and 50% of the reasonable meal expenses as charitable donations.

  • 8 years ago

    Personal Expenses

    No you cannot.

    You cannot deduct personal, living, or family expenses, such as the following items.

    The cost of meals you eat while you perform services for a qualified organization, unless it is necessary for you to be away from home overnight while performing the services.

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  • tro
    Lv 7
    8 years ago

    you can't write off meals, you would eat anyway and that is personal expense to you(not deductible)

  • !
    Lv 7
    8 years ago

    You can't.

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