Can I claim lunch on the job?

For UK sole traders. Verified against HMRC primary sources. Sources checked daily; last check 29 October 2026.

Usually not.

An everyday working lunch is a personal cost. The exception is meals on an overnight business trip away from your normal base.

HMRC treats ordinary meals as living costs, not business costs, even when you eat them at work. The allowable case is subsistence: meals on an overnight business trip count as part of travel expenses.

So the Tesco meal deal on a normal day is out, and the dinner when you're staying over for a job two hours away is in. SoleTax asks one question when you snap a food receipt and files it right.

Quick answers

Are meals ever claimable for a sole trader?
Yes, on overnight business trips away from your normal base, as part of travel expenses. Ordinary working meals are not claimable.

What about a meal with my team or a client?
A meal with a client, supplier or customer is business entertainment, which isn't claimable. Food or drink for your own employees is different: HMRC lets you claim it.

Compliance first.Every figure verified verbatim against HMRC primary sources, with the date on the page

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Sources: HMRC's SA103F Notes 2026 (the self-employment notes for the tax return), HMRC's Business Income Manual (BIM45000), and gov.uk's guidance on expenses if you're self-employed. Checked on 4 October 2026.