Fundamentals of Taxation 2011 4th Edition by Ana Cruz, Debra Prendergast, Dan Schisler, Michael Deschamps

Exercise 38

Burger Store is located near many large office buildings, so at lunch it is extremely busy. Burger Store management previously permitted lunchtime employees a half-hour off-premises lunch break. However, employees could not easily return in a timely manner. Thus a new policy was instituted to allow employees a 20-minute break for free lunch (only on the Burger Store premises). The company's accountant believes that the cost of these meals must be allocated to employees as additional compensation because the meals do not qualify as a nontaxable fringe benefit for employee discounts. In your opinion, should the cost of these meals be taxable or tax-free to employees? Support your answer.