Meals for children when eating out

[Unregistered]

When taking daycare children out to eat, how do you deduct those expenses? If I take 5 kids to lunch at McDonald's, how is that classified as a deduction? Is that meals and entertainment or supplies? Because it's still meals you are providing and paying for.

[Heidi]

In the rare cases I do it, I just make sure the meal meets all the components and then record it on my food program.

[TomCopeland]

Meals

When taking daycare children out to eat, how do you deduct those expenses? If I take 5 kids to lunch at McDonald's, how is that classified as a deduction? Is that meals and entertainment or supplies? Because it's still meals you are providing and paying for.

If you use the standard meal allowance method, count the meals at McDonalds as a regular lunch ($2.40 for 2014). If you are using the actual food cost method, then save receipts and deduct the actual cost.

[Thriftylady]

In the rare cases I do it, I just make sure the meal meets all the components and then record it on my food program.

I am not on the food program now, but when I was I was told that the food counted on the program had to be prepared and served in my home. Not sure if that is still the same or not.

[TomCopeland]

food

I am not on the food program now, but when I was I was told that the food counted on the program had to be prepared and served in my home. Not sure if that is still the same or not.

True. To claim reimbursements from the Food Program, the food must be prepared and served in your home. However, you can deduct food expenses no matter where the food was prepared or served.