I claim a small room in my home as my office. I do some remote analysis, communications, record keeping, etc from home. I travel to 7 different sites, visiting 1 or 2 sites each day, for about 200 days a year. Travelling 16,000 miles or so. And almost always bringing a bag lunch.
Last year I claimed all 16,000 miles as business miles. That was, by far, my largest expense. Insurance $1,000. And maybe $1,000 in tools and certifications. I make about 100K. Am I in the right claiming those miles from my home office to the first site as expense?
This year line 24b, meals, caught my eye. I never leave overnight. But always eat lunch on the road. Bag lunch. They say I can use a standard meal price so I don't have to rifle through Walmart receipts. But the M&IE says lunch is $15. Am I reading that right? I can expense 50% of $15 x 200 days for a cheap bag lunch?
I feel guilty about both expenses because I use to work for these sites. Now I get to reduce my taxes due to eating lunch and driving to work. Seems silly.
Thanks.