Most salaried employees discover Sodexo meal coupons during their first corporate job. It’s usually introduced casually—“You’ll get a Sodexo card for meals”—but behind that small sentence lies a surprisingly structured tax benefit.
Under India’s Income Tax Act, certain employee allowances & perquisites are exempt if they’re used for genuine work-related needs. Meal benefits fall into this category, but only under specific conditions.
What Are Sodexo (Pluxee) Meal Coupons?
Sodexo meal coupons were originally physical paper vouchers used for buying food items. Over time, they evolved into digital meal cards (now branded as Pluxee Meal Benefits).
They are meant strictly for meals consumed during working hours, though in practice employees often swipe them for groceries & snacks too—something we’ve all done at least once.
But the heart of the discussion lies in their tax treatment.
The Income Tax Section That Governs Meal Coupons
Sodexo tax exemption falls under Section 10(14) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, read with Rule 2BB of the Income Tax Rules. This provision allows certain allowances, granted specifically for work-related expenses, to be exempt from tax. Meal allowance is one of them, but with strict limits."
Under this rule:
- Sodexo meal coupons (or Pluxee meal cards) → are exempt up to ₹50 per meal
- They are exempt only in the old tax regime
- They qualify as allowance for meal expenses during working hours
This makes meal coupons a perk that blends practicality with tax efficiency.
Also Read: Life Insurance Maturity Exemption
How Much Exemption Is Allowed?
The exemption is available only for meals consumed while on duty.
Typical structure:
- ₹50 per meal
- Usually 2 meals per working day
- Roughly ₹100 per day is exempt
If you work 22 days a month →
₹2,200 per month becomes tax-free
Across the year, that’s more than ₹26,000 of tax-free income under the old regime.
Not bad for something as everyday as lunch.
Important Clarification: No Deduction Under Section 80C
Many employees assume that because meal benefits save tax, they must fall under Section 80C. This is not true.
Sodexo meal cards do not qualify for deductions under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act. Section 80C covers investments & payments like:
- PF
- PPF
- ELSS
- Life insurance
- Tuition fees
Meal coupons are not an investment—they’re an allowance, and their exemption comes from Section 10(14) only.
Tax Treatment Under the New vs. Old Regime
This is where many employees get confused.
✔ Old Tax Regime
- Exemption available under Section 10(14)
- Sodexo coupons are fully exempt up to the limit
- Salary structure includes meal allowance
✔ New Tax Regime
- No exemption available
- Sodexo coupons are fully taxable
- Many allowances have been removed to simplify the regime
This means if you’ve opted for the new regime, your Sodexo or Pluxee card does not reduce your taxable income.
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A Small Real-Life Scenario
A colleague once told me she always counted on her Pluxee card to reduce her taxable income by a few thousand each year. When she unknowingly shifted to the new regime, her HR explained that under the new regime, no tax benefits are available.
Her exact reaction was:
“So I’ve been eating tax-free for years… and suddenly I’m not?”
That’s when she realised how deeply small tax rules can affect our day-to-day finances.
Why Employers Still Offer Sodexo Meal Cards
Even though the new regime removes the tax benefit, employers continue offering meal cards because:
- They simplify reimbursement for food expenses
- They maintain transparency
- Employees prefer structured meal allowances
- They help create a better workplace experience
In short, they remain a valuable corporate benefit—even when the tax angle changes.
Key Points to Remember
Here’s everything in one place:
- Sodexo meal coupons (now Pluxee Meal Benefits) offer tax benefits under the old regime
- Exemption is available only under Section 10(14)
- Sodexo coupons are fully exempt within the meal limits"
- Under the new regime, no tax benefits apply
- Meal cards do not fall under Section 80C
- Exemption applies only for meals consumed during office hours
If you’re someone who loves keeping your salary structure optimised, this is a meaningful piece of the puzzle.
Also Read: Tax-Free Allowances for Work-Related Expenses
Conclusion
Sodexo or Pluxee meal coupons may seem like a small part of your salary package, but they’re a reminder that tax planning often begins with everyday benefits. The exemption under Section 10(14) makes them especially attractive in the old regime, even though the new regime has taken away this perk.
Whether you’re choosing your tax regime or understanding how benefits fit into your CTC, a little awareness goes a long way. And if you ever feel confused about allowances, reimbursements, or tax planning, the team at CallMyCA.com is always here to guide you with real, human clarity.
