Extra Charge For Meals???

[RobinfromTexas]

Just wondering for those who provide meals for your kids, do you charge extra for these meals (not snacks), or is it inclusive in your rates? And if so, what do you charge? Thank you...

[Blackcat31]

Just wondering for those who provide meals for your kids, do you charge extra for these meals (not snacks), or is it inclusive in your rates? And if so, what do you charge? Thank you...

ALL meals and snacks are included here but I am reimbursed some of that cost by participating in a federally funded food program.

http://www.fns.usda.gov/cacfp/child-and-adult-care-food-program

If you are not participating with a food program, you can deduct the cost of the meals and snacks you served at the end of the year on your taxes

[BumbleBee]

They're included in the rate here.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

They are included in my rate as well and I participate in the food program.

[itlw8]

ALL meals and snacks are included here but I am reimbursed some of that cost by participating in a federally funded food program.

http://www.fns.usda.gov/cacfp/child-and-adult-care-food-program

If you are not participating with a food program, you can deduct the cost of the meals and snacks you served at the end of the year on your taxes

You deduct the cost of meals even if you are on the food program

food cost is included in my rate. It is not a choice I feed them.

[JoseyJo]

You deduct the cost of meals even if you are on the food program

food cost is included in my rate. It is not a choice I feed them.

Are you sure?? Unless this is something state by state I am almost certain you can't deduct the price of meals and get paid by the food program too...

If you can I DEFINITELY want to know, that would make my net income (and taxes) go way down!

[Margarete]

It's my understanding you either do not deduct for the meals you are reimbursed for... or you can deduct the meals, and then claim the food reimbursement as income.
Meals for your own children are not deductible, but the reimbursements for them also are not counted as income.

[nanglgrl]

Food program money is counted as income on your taxes. You then deduct what you spent on food (or use attendence x federal reimbursement rate) which is most likely more than you received from the food program. If you are reimbursed for your own children it does count as income but you can't deduct their food expenses.

[Margarete]

I don't know where I read otherwise, sorry about that. You do not however claim reimbursements for your own children http://www.tomcopelandblog.com/repor...-expenses.html

[Margarete]

Food program money is counted as income on your taxes. You then deduct what you spent on food (or use attendence x federal reimbursement rate) which is most likely more than you received from the food program. If you are reimbursed for your own children it does count as income but you can't deduct their food expenses.

I don't know where I read differently, but was also told that by my food sponsor, sorry about that. Food reimbursements for your own children however are not counted as income. http://www.tomcopelandblog.com/repor...-expenses.html

[MarinaVanessa]

I include the cost of my meals into my weekly rate (even snacks) and when I advertise I say that "meals are included at no extra charge". This way even if a parent decides to opt out of the food program and provide their own meals I still receive the same amount as a client who's child eats my meals. I also participate in the food program and get reimbursement for most meals (I serve more meals in a day than the food program will reimburse ... supper for example on top of breakfast, lunch and 3 snacks) and I claim the reimbursements as income so that I can then claim the meals again at the end of the year on my taxes at the standard meal allowance rate.

[MrsSteinel'sHouse]

Are you sure?? Unless this is something state by state I am almost certain you can't deduct the price of meals and get paid by the food program too...

If you can I DEFINITELY want to know, that would make my net income (and taxes) go way down!

yes, You claim the income from the food program and deduct the price of meals. You can deduct meals that the food program doesn't cover also.

sorry that was already answered

And I also do not charge extra for meals. I wouldn't want parents to bring food!

[nanglgrl]

I don't know where I read differently, but was also told that by my food sponsor, sorry about that. Food reimbursements for your own children however are not counted as income. http://www.tomcopelandblog.com/repor...-expenses.html

We've always been told by our food program that the money reimbursed for our own children is income and we can't deduct the expense of their food. I don't get a reimbursement for my children but I'm sure some ladies on my daycare board will be happy to hear that they don't have to claim what they received for their own children.