I have a friend who writes off restaurant bills for her business (whether she actually talks about her business or not is not really the issue). Every week we go out to eat, with other friends or just ourselves. After everyone pays their share of the bill, she'll take the bill and write off the ENTIRE sum - not just her share.
Is everyone entitled to their share of the tax refund? Everyone pays, of course, including my friend. But she's the one who eventually gets the tax refund for her share of the meal AND everyone else's. I casually asked her about getting part of that refund and she said no. Twice she's done this at more expensive restaurants, but I'm afraid that this will become a regular occurence, regardless of how expensive the meal is.
Is this fair? Should I confront her again? Is there a way I can pay for my meal WITHOUT her writing off what I think is my (and anybody else's) share of the meal? How do I avoid this but continue to dine with her without feeling ripped off?
2007-11-10 07:10:44 · 10 answers · asked by Dien 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
*Issue of separate checks: Even with separate tabs, my friend will actually take the itemized bill that the waiter writes up when taking the order. (Pretty genious if you ask me; nonetheless, I'm still annoyed with her practice).
So, should I ask the waiter to write up the itemized bill separately?
2007-11-10 07:17:10 · update #1
Also, she'll TALK about her business, but these are never actually business dinners - they're personal, among friends.
2007-11-10 08:16:55 · update #2
From now on, at the start of the meal, tell your server you want a seperat ticket for your order.
What she is doing is not fair, and she is taking advantge of you. By getting a seperate ticket, you pay for your meal, and she no longer makes money off of you.
2007-11-10 07:15:44 · answer #1 · answered by sweetie_baby 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Who ever has the receipt gets the refund. No receipt, no refund.
But lets not put the cart before the horse.
First of all, CAN you write it off? Are you self employed, a 10-99 or on commission somehow? If you are a w-2 that can't write it off to begin with! Why not just let her write off the bill?
Are these meals at all business related? Then she should be able to write them off.
If this really bugs you, try one of a few things. If you are able to write it off, then you take the receipt next time and then the two of you can take turns. If you can't write it off then ask her to cover an appetizer or a drink for you because she is getting a write off through your expense. Or, contact a tax professional and find out how much money she is able to write off. Ask for your share back.
If it were me and I could not write it off - I'd ask for a free drink or two.
If you want to avoid the issue all together, just insist on a separate bill in advance.
2007-11-10 07:56:44 · answer #2 · answered by Think.for.your.self 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You aren't entitled to a share of her tax return, but she isn't entitled to that money either, since what she is doing is wrong and illegal. Personally, I think you are letting a petty money issue get in the way of your friendship. Those restaurant bills don't add up to enough to be worth fighting about, and quite honestly sooner or later she's going to get caught. Let her fall in the hole she is digging herself, and stay clear of the whole thing.
2007-11-10 18:17:53 · answer #3 · answered by missbeans 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your friend is a tax cheat. I hope that is stated clearly enough for you.
You're not entitled to a share of the refund on the taxes she is claiming.
Your friend clearly not playing fair. I would insist on separate checks.
2007-11-10 07:16:57 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Unless your friend is paying for the entire meal , what she is doing is actually tax fraud. Make a little joke the next time you go out, and insinuate that she must not be afraid of the IRS !!!
2007-11-10 07:18:52 · answer #5 · answered by Angela C 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sooner or later one of those at your table will tip off the IRS as to what she is doing. Then they will get a check from the IRS for "supplying original information" and enabling them to collect from a tax cheat - their check is their share of what she owed.
2007-11-10 07:20:03 · answer #6 · answered by Rich Z 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
For me it's a bad idea to split the checks. Reason: if you invite, you pay. If the other party invites: he/she pays. For business' purpose, your company or theirs pay. Tips: leave 15% of the bill, no more, no less.
2007-11-10 07:34:42 · answer #7 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Ask for separate checks.
2007-11-10 07:14:09 · answer #8 · answered by WilmaF 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
IT's bad that she does that. She should refund her friends. If she doesn't she is using her friends to make money.
2007-11-10 19:30:53 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What she is doing is tax fraud. Tell her you will not allow her to do it any more, as she may go to jail for it.
2007-11-10 09:18:23 · answer #10 · answered by merrybodner 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋