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Are Your Corporate Gifts Tax-Deductible?

SM Thanneermalai, Managing Director, Thannees Tax Consulting Services

13-Nov-25 12:00

Are Your Corporate Gifts Tax-Deductible?

Corporate gifts and entertainment are essential for building goodwill, but they're also a notorious tax "grey area." Where does a non-taxable gift end and taxable income begin? And how can your business ensure its entertainment expenses are 100% deductible?

Tax expert SM Thanneermalai of Thannees Tax Consulting Services joins us to navigate these "grey areas." He explains the critical difference between a personal gift and a taxable business transaction, the rules for 50% vs. 100% deductions, and why meticulous documentation is your best defense in an audit.

We discuss:

  • When a "gift" is (and is not) taxable income for the recipient.

  • The "50% vs. 100%" rule for deducting entertainment expenses.

  • How to claim a 100% deduction (e.g. staff entertainment, promotional items with logos).

  • The tax implications of "grey areas" like large monetary gifts and nominees.

  • The critical documentation businesses must keep to justify their claims.

For business owners and finance teams, this is an essential exploration into navigating the tax rules of gifts and entertainment, especially as tax authorities become more sophisticated.

Image credit: Shutterstock

Produced by: Roshan Kanesan

Presented by: Roshan Kanesan


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Categories:  Corporatesmanaging

Tags:  corporate giftingtax deductionsentertainment expensestax compliancelhdn





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