Login
Discover how with salary packaging restaurant and other dine-out meals.
What does your dream summer look like? Cocktails and antipasti platter at a sunny, seaside bar? A long lunch at a winery with friends? Or is a casual get-together with the family more your style?
Whatever it is, there’s no question that food and drink are what make an Aussie summer special. But we all know that the costs of dining out – whether it’s at cafes, clubs or pubs – can quickly add up.
But there is a way to make additional tax savings whenever or wherever you choose to eat out this summer: salary packaging meal entertainment expenses means eligible employees can save on dining out, making the most of their pre-tax dollars. And Smart™ makes it easy to take advantage of this amazing benefit for eligible employees in the Healthcare, Aged Care and Not-for-profit sectors with the Smart Salary Packaging and Meal Entertainment Card.
It’s a simple, tax-smart way to save big this summer. Here’s how it works.
What is salary packaging for meal entertainment?
Salary packaging – also known as salary sacrifice – lets employees take some of their salary as benefits instead of ‘cash’ income.
You – or a salary packaging specialist like Smart – arrange with your employer to pay for benefits out of your pre-tax salary. Your benefits could include anything from cars to meals. The reason people choose salary packaging is because they can end up paying less income tax overall, which could mean potential tax savings every year.
When it comes to meal entertainment, eligible employees can package up to $2,650 of meal entertainment expenses – which could save you hundreds of dollars in income tax over each Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) year (1 April - 31 March). This benefit is only available to certain sectors, including Healthcare, Not-for-profit, Disability and Aged care, and depends on your employer’s salary packaging policy and your employment status.
Wondering what you can package as ‘meal entertainment’? Here’s a handy outline:
Acceptable as meal entertainment
Even better? Your meal entertainment benefit can also be used overseas* for dining [and holiday accommodation] – which means you could save on tax whether you’re jetting off to Bali, road-tripping across the USA, or heading away on a European adventure.
Simple: You apply for salary packaging – or add the benefit if you’re already a Smart customer – and we take care of everything else.
We’ll get your employer to set aside the amount you choose from your pre-tax salary each pay. Then, we’ll arrange for the amount to be transferred directly to your Smart™ Salary Packaging and Meal Entertainment Card so you can start saving on dining out ASAP.
The salary packaging card is an all-in-one card that makes it easy to take advantage of your meal entertainment benefit. Just decide the amount you want added to your card each pay, and this will be deducted from your pre-tax salary. Once the funds are added, you can use your card wherever Mastercard is accepted, here in Australia and overseas*.
Your salary packaging card works with the devices you use every day, so you don’t need to worry about any extra admin. Add it to Google Pay or Apple Pay for simple and secure payments in stores, in selected apps and on participating websites.
There are so many reasons to choose salary packaging, from tax savings through to maximising every moment with your family and friends.
Whether you’re a brunch person, love long, degustation dinners, or prefer grabbing a casual burger at the pub with friends, we can’t think of a good reason not to take advantage of this benefit if you’re eligible. Here are three reasons why you should:
We can’t say it enough: salary packaging meal entertainment is a smart way to save money this summer. By reducing your taxable income, you could keep more of your hard-earned money in your pocket.
Summer is both the best and busiest time of year. From family lunches to pub catch-ups with friends, it’s the season of being out and about. But, let’s face it: all that going out can put a strain on even the best budgeters. So why not take away the stress by knowing you’re saving your pre-tax dollars before the bill even arrives?
The best thing about salary packaging meal entertainment? It’s just so easy to do. Once you’ve got your salary packaging card in hand, you can start using it for dining out straight away. It’s easy to reload and track your balance and transaction history. But, as with any important financial decision you make, we always recommend talking to a professional before you start salary packaging.
For more information on the meal entertainment benefit, including frequently asked questions, click here.
It’s easy to start salary packaging your meal entertainment:
Simple!
This is general information only. Before entering into any salary packaging or novated leasing arrangement, you should consider your objectives, financial situation and needs, and seek appropriate legal, financial or other professional advice based upon your own particular circumstances. The availability of benefits is determined by your employer. Conditions and fees apply. Smartsalary Pty Ltd, ABN 24 096 796 100, a Smart™ company. Smart™ and the Smart logo are trademarks of Smartsalary Pty Ltd.
The Smart Salary Packaging and Meal Entertainment Card is a prepaid, reloadable Mastercard issued by EML Payment Solutions Limited ABN 30 131 436 532 AFSL 404131. Please consider if this product is right for you. Read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and the Target Market Determination relating to this product before making any decision. Mastercard and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated.
There’s a cap across Meal and Entertainment, Holiday Accommodation and Venue Hire benefits of $2,650 per FBT year (1 April –31 March). Eligibility for the Holiday Accommodation and Venue Hire benefit is dependent on your industry and employer. Subject to your employer’s own policy.
* Transactions made in a currency other than Australian dollars will be subject to the Mastercard exchange rate at the time, plus a 2.99% foreign exchange fee. Not all employers allow overseas purchases; please verify on the Smart website for details specific to your employer.