CM Club: Food

[mogs0]

I am just trying to do my tax return and remembered reading on here that someone puts down a set cost for food per mindee per meal/day. I couldn't remember what the cost was though, any idea?

Also, I have just been looking in my new ncma handbook which says that HMRC argue against a flat rate as some cms might make gourmet meals and others provide beans on toast (although for lunch I would have thought that this be acceptable!!).

So now I'm confused!! Hvaing looked at the millions of supermarket receipts that I've collected over the year I'd much prfer to put a set rate!!

I worked out an average meal cost for the sorts of meals I provide, eg lunch is pitta/roll/sarnie with filling, half a pack of Goodies, bits of cucumber etc, works out at 50p and I add on if child has 'afters' eg yoghurt. I only have 2 to 3 year olds at mo so would revise cost if had older children who ate more! I calc rates at begining of each tax year, keeping the few receipts with the ingredients on and show calcs on paper, keep with accounts book for if tax man ever wants to see! I note in accounts book childs name and meals they've had and tot it up at end of each week. I think HMRC are against themselves setting flat rate and yes, we had beans on toast the other day for lunch!

HTH!

I also have 2yr olds and I've estimated £2 a day each child for lunch, tea and snacks.

Sounds good to me! Saves all those millions of supermarket receipts!