Food for thought

I am the audit partner in a two-partner firm of accountants. The practice profits are shared equally with my tax partner who ‘lets me’ include the business proportion of my car expenses in the practice accounts but does not allow me to include the expenditure incurred on business lunches.

When working at clients’ premises I go out for lunch at restaurants accompanied by whichever member of my audit team is working with me on the day and usually one or two directors of the company we are auditing at the time.

The lunches are not particularly lavish liquid or long but the annual cost is significant. My queries are as follows.

First can any input tax be recovered – I always ask for a VAT receipt?

Second can I obtain any income tax and Class 4 National Insurance contributions relief?

Finally are...