Federal Income Taxation of Employee Meals and Lodging, Housing, and Educational Benefits After the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

The tax implications of employer-provided meals, lodging, and educational benefits are complex and have changed significantly under the new tax law - make sure you understand the changes in determining your policies.

The tax implications of employer-provided meals, lodging, and educational benefits are complex and have changed significantly under the new tax law, make sure you understand the changes in determining your policies. Employers must often provide meals and lodging for their employees where necessary for their employees to perform their jobs. Additionally, employers may wish to provide their employees with meals as a fringe benefit, and may also wish to reward their employees with educational benefits for the employee or his or her children, either to advance the employee's job skills or as a reward for service and to promote a high performance workplace. However, employers must be aware of federal tax laws when providing these benefits, or else they may find that these benefits are more expensive than they originally thought. This topic will help you learn the different ways that employees may be provided with nontaxable or only partially taxable meals and lodging in appropriate circumstances where necessary to perform their job, or on the road, and may also be rewarded for exceptional performance, without incurring additional tax expense, or at least avoiding penalties. Important reporting and withholding requirements ensure that employers fully comply with their federal tax obligations. This material will also keep you abreast of important changes in this area under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Faculty

T. Joshua Wu

Clark Hill Strasburger

Luke D. Bailey

Clark Hill PLC