Who can package the Meal Entertainment benefit?

This salary packaging option is available to the following industries:

• Healthcare & Charity
• Rebatable & Others

What is the Meal Entertainment benefit?

Meal Entertainment might sound like dinner and a show. However, in terms of salary packaging, the Meal Entertainment benefit allows you to pay for the “dinner” portion of your dinner-show night out using pre-tax dollars from your salary packaging account.

Meal Entertainment covers your restaurant, café and bistro bills when dining out with others. It is a salary packaging benefit offered to the Health and Charity industries. Meal Entertainment forms part of your salary packaging benefits: you simply nominate an amount for your employer to deduct from your pre-tax salary to send to your Maxxia account.

There are few greater pleasures in life than visiting your favourite restaurant with friends and family. Why not also enjoy some delicious potential tax savings by salary packaging the bill?

Is there a limit to how much I can package for Meal Entertainment?

You could package up to $2,650 of your pre-tax salary each Fringe Benefits Tax year towards Meal Entertainment. This amount is in addition to the existing salary packaging cap for the Living Expenses benefit.

What can I claim as Meal Entertainment?

For an expense to be classified as Meal Entertainment, you must be dining out with others at a restaurant, café or other similar venue.

Family dinner at a sit-down restaurant? Yes, this is considered Meal Entertainment, including drinks.

Picking up a sandwich for lunch by yourself? No, this is considered ‘sustenance’ and cannot be claimed under this benefit. Takeaway meals and solo dining also can’t be claimed.

The Meal Entertainment benefit can also be used to claim Venue Hire expenses. For more information on that, please go to the Venue Hire page.

What is not considered Meal Entertainment?

The following are not eligible for the Meal Entertainment benefit:

• meals or drinks from workplace venues (e.g., hospital cafeteria)
• alcohol, unless consumed as part of a dine out meal with others
• groceries
• takeaway
• smaller, solo meals considered ‘sustenance’ (e.g., sausage roll from a bakery even if you dine in)
• Home delivery such as Uber Eats

Important things to know:

This will be salary packaged and your deductions automatically increased to cover the charge. International transaction fees and disputed transaction fees also apply. 

*Assumptions: The estimated potential tax benefit is based on the assumption that an eligible employee salary packages the specified amount. FBT rates effective 1 July 2024 and PAYG tax rates effective 1 July 2024 have been used and average Fees and Charges are included. The actual administration fee that applies to you may vary depending on your employer. Tax, benefit and Medicare Levy calculations are approximate, and assume no other taxable income is received. HELP repayments and taxation surcharges are excluded. This general information doesn’t take your personal circumstances into account. Please consider whether this information is right for you before making a decision and seek professional independent tax or financial advice. Conditions and fees apply, along with credit assessment criteria for lease and loan products. The availability of benefits is subject to your employer’s approval.

Things you need to know: The above information is not intended to constitute taxation or financial product advice. Your benefits and savings will vary depending on your personal objectives, financial situation and needs. We recommend you obtain independent financial advice before making any financial decisions. Eligibility criteria and terms and conditions apply. All salary packaging proposals are subject to the requirements of your employer. Administration fees will apply. The actual administration fee that applies to you may vary depending on your employer. Maxxia may pay and receive commission or rebates in connection with some services and products it provides or arranges to be provided by third parties.

Maxxia Pty Ltd | ABN 39 082 449 036.