Meal Entertainment
Definition
The Meal Entertainment benefit allows you to pay for your dine-in meals at any café or restaurant in pre-tax dollars in addition to capped limit benefits.
The following expenses qualify for this:
- Any dine-in meals for two or more people at restaurants, cafés, bistros, clubs or pubs in Australia or overseas.
- Catering costs for events where the sole or predominant purpose of the event is the consumption of food and drink. For example, a wedding reception, birthday or engagement party (a tax invoice from a catering business or reception needs to be supplied).
Is There a Limit?
Yes. A combined annual limit of $2,649 applies for meal entertainment, holiday accommodation and venue hire. These benefits are reportable and the grossed-up value will appear on your Payment Summary.
Meal Entertainment Does Not Include
- Self-catered events
- Groceries and supermarket expenses
- Bottle shops
- Dine-in meals that only include one person.
- Light refreshments, such as a chocolate bar, bag of chips, coffee and cake (claims made under $15)
- Take-away or drive-thru meals
- Beverages alone, such as alcohol or coffee
- Entertainment items, such as theatre or movie tickets
- Receipts older than 12 months
Evidence Required
Tax invoices that meet the definition of the meal entertainment benefit are required for all claims.
The tax invoice must show:
- The date
- Business name and ABN
- Itemised list of meals
EFTPOS transaction receipts will not be accepted and foreign invoices must be in English and accompany a credit card statement showing the purchase in Australian dollars.
The meal entertainment expense must be paid for by yourself or a member of your household, where it is deemed to be a joint expense. Meal invoices can be back-dated up to 12 months and can only be claimed if you have paid for the expense whilst employed at the organisation.
Claim Procedure
OPTION 1: Apply for a MyCardPlus Meal Entertainment Card.
The MyCardPlus Meal Entertainment is a great option if you don’t want to collect receipts and complete claim forms. Just choose the amount you want paid onto the card in each pay-day and then use the card to pay for your meals.
Applying for the card is simple:
If You Are Already Salary Packaging:
- Complete an amendment form requesting to apply for the Meal Entertainment Card and the amount you would like to salary package towards meal entertainment.
- The card application form will be emailed to you for completion.
- Once completed, your Meal Entertainment Card will be ordered and posted to you within 7-10 business days. Simply activate your card to start using it.
If You Are New To Salary Packaging:
- Apply for your salary packaging arrangement by completing an application form.
- Choose the amount you wish to salary packaging towards meal entertainment and any other benefit.
- Return your completed form to SalaryPackagingPLUS for processing.
- Your salary packaging arrangement will be set up and the card application form will be emailed to you for completion.
- Once completed, your Meal Entertainment Card will be ordered and posted to you within 7-10 business days. Simply activate your card to start using it.
OPTION 2: Collect your receipts and complete a manual claim.
- Go to the Claim Centre and use the online form to make your claim, or download and complete a Meal Entertainment Claim Form.
- If you use the online form, you can simply upload your receipts and submit them.
- If you download the claim form, you can send your claim (and receipts) to our office:
By Email: | [email protected] |
By Fax: | 1300 885 470 |
By Post: | SalaryPackagingPLUS Pty Ltd P.O. Box 7066 MELBOURNE, VIC 3004 |
Need Help?
If you need help or need more information about salary packaging or novated leasing, please call 1300 40 80 46 or click here to request a call back from one of our experienced consultants.