How Do You Handle Meals at Tax Time?

[shelby]

i have one more question... since I started in Oct of this year do I use the 2011-2012 rates or the new 2012 to 2013 rates.

[TomCopeland]

food expenses

I was just going to ask this question, glad I came here!

So tell me if I am understanding this.. I just check off each meal my dcks eat and then take the standard deduction rate.. 1.37 for breakfast for my deductions during tax time... right.. ? even if I am not on the food program

Yes, you can use the standard meal allowance rate even if you are not on the food program. Be sure to keep careful records that show the number of meals and snacks you served each day to each child.

[TomCopeland]

food expenses

i have one more question... since I started in Oct of this year do I use the 2011-2012 rates or the new 2012 to 2013 rates.

You use these rates for all of 2012: $1.24 breakfast, $2.32 lunch/supper and $.69 snack.

[NeedaVaca]

Hi, can a legally unlicensed provider also use the standard meal deduction or does this only apply to licensed daycares? I will be filing taxes this year and wondered if I could do this as well?

[TomCopeland]

food expenses

Hi, can a legally unlicensed provider also use the standard meal deduction or does this only apply to licensed daycares? I will be filing taxes this year and wondered if I could do this as well?

All child care providers can use the standard meal allowance rate to claim food expenses. This includes licensed providers, legally unlicensed providers, and illegal providers!

[Lyss]

You use these rates for all of 2012: $1.24 breakfast, $2.32 lunch/supper and $.69 snack.

I was just getting ready to ask this! Thanks!!


Also I've recently seen some post in the provider's forum where people have said they are only allowed so many snacks or meals a day per child. Is there a limit to number of claimable snacks/meals in a day per child? I don't mean like claiming an excessive amount (like 5 snacks per day) but I have one DCB who gets 2 snacks and 3 meals while here (the rest usually get 2 meals and 1 snack) as he's here 4 days a week, 12 hours. Some days his supper is more of a snack because mom has asked he have a light snack so I only claim it as a snack which would give him 2 meals and 3 snacks in the day. Is that allowed? I'm legally unlicensed so I'm not on the food program if that makes a difference.

[LaLa1923]

When claiming food expenses using the standard meal allowance rate (I got the IRS to pass this in 2003) you can claim up to 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 supper and 3 snacks per day, per chid. If the parent provides the entire food from home, you can't count that meal. But if the parent brings a snack and you provide juice, you can count this as a deductible snack.

When using the standard meal allowance rule, keep records showing which kids ate which meals and snacks each day. You don't need receipts or menus. You can use the Minute Menu Meal Report for this purpose.

This is what you can claim

[Lyss]

This is what you can claim

Oh duh! I guess I had a brain fart as I read that one!

Thanks!!!!