Comments on: Ask the taxgirl: Deductibility of Booze

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By: william

william — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 03:54:57 +0000

I’m with Kelly on this one, that it’s probably about liability. 20 years back I worked for a company who went to a strict no alcohol, no holiday parties, no nothing, ever, at anything related to work, after an employee was killed wandering across the highway after dark, he’d wandered wasted out of the company Christmas party. This isn’t an urban legend, he was someone we all knew. I’m surprised the co. survived the lawsuit.

By: Boyd Thomas EA

Boyd Thomas EA — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:32:19 +0000

I agree with Kelly — also, I think that a lot of “no alcohol” T & E policies are based on cost cutting since alcohol (theoretically) is not necessary for subsistance.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 20:50:11 +0000

Mary Kay,
My gut is that it’s more of a liability policy than a moral one – most companies don’t want to be on the hook for an employee’s behavior while drinking. But that’s just the cynical lawyer in me.
BTW – I’m with you on the “no dessert” but yes to the glass of wine policy!

By: Mary Kay Foss

Mary Kay Foss — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:50:18 +0000

I have done some work for an organization that has a no alcohol policy for expense reports. I’m not sure if this is a moral judgment or what. Personally I’d prefer a no dessert policy and allow a glass of wine.

By: Rick

Rick — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:32:17 +0000

You know it might be better to use the per diem, less the amount reimbured, one will have to have all the documents for records anyway. It might be worth the time and effort to figure it out. Per diem in some cities is very high.

By: Jen Miller

Jen Miller — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 13:10:19 +0000

Great question. I just wrote an article about bars, so I was allowed to add alcoholic beverages to my expense account (would have been tough to write the piece otherwise!)