Meal Allowance for Extended Shifts: Who Qualifies and What You Get
If you work long shifts away from your home base, you may be eligible for tax deductions to help cover the cost of your meals.
This scheme allows workers to claim a tax deduction to help cover the extra cost of meals when they are working long hours away from their usual base.
Who it's for
This is for employees who are away from their home or primary place of work for extended periods due to their shift duties.
What you get
You can claim a tax deduction for the additional cost of meals incurred during shifts that last longer than 8 hours.
What it costs you
To claim this, you must keep a detailed log of your shift durations to prove how long you were working away from your base.
The catch to know
This benefit is frequently overlooked by emergency service workers, such as paramedics, who work very long 12-to-24-hour shifts.
How to apply
- Keep a precise record of your start and end times for every shift.
- Note exactly when you are working away from your home base.
- Submit these records when you file your tax return to claim the deduction.