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Home tiffin service

Cook home-style meals for students and office workers on a monthly plan.

Money to start

Up to ₹50,000

Time it needs

25 to 40 hours a week

Risk

Low

Works from home

Yes

Explore

What it is, who it suits, what it can pay, how soon, the upside and the risks.

You cook a fixed daily menu at home and deliver lunch or dinner boxes to subscribers who pay monthly. Students, PG residents and office workers are the main customers.

Who it suits

  • Good home cooks
  • Homemakers who can cook in bulk
  • Areas with colleges, PGs and offices

Upside

  • Starts from your kitchen
  • Monthly advance payments
  • Word of mouth spreads fast

Risks to know

  • Food safety complaints
  • Delivery logistics
  • Long cooking hours every day

What it can pay

We do not publish a number without a reliable source.

What drives it: Number of subscribers, price per meal, food cost and delivery cost. Monthly plans make income steady.

Time to first income

One to two weeks.

Assess

Skills, money, tools, hours and registrations you need, and a five question fit check.

Skills

  • Cooking consistently
  • Planning a weekly menu
  • Hygiene

Money to start

Boxes, a bigger stove or utensils, and first week's groceries.

Tools

  • Insulated tiffin boxes
  • Large utensils
  • Delivery help or a two-wheeler

Time per week

4 to 6 hours a day.

Licences and registrations

Tick each one as you get it. Your ticks stay on this device.

Quick fit check

  1. 1.Do people praise your everyday cooking?
  2. 2.Can you cook for 10 or more people daily?
  3. 3.Can you keep the kitchen spotless?
  4. 4.Is there a delivery helper or can you deliver?
  5. 5.Are there students or offices within 3 km?

Answer all five to see how well this fits you.

Run

Your first 30 days to the first rupee: set up, price, get paid, find customers, keep records.

0 of 13 steps done

  1. Days 1 to 7

    Set up

  2. Days 8 to 10

    Price it and get ready to be paid

  3. Days 11 to 24

    Find your first customers

  4. Days 25 to 30

    Record and review

Nurture

Grow and stay compliant: tax, GST, government schemes and the help that fits.

Grow it

  • Add dinner and weekend specials
  • Hire a helper and a delivery person
  • Move to a cloud kitchen

Tax: Small business on presumptive tax

Return: ITR-4 (Sugam) if total income is up to ₹50 lakh; otherwise ITR-3

  • This is business income. With turnover up to ₹2 crore (₹3 crore if at least 95% comes in digitally) you can use Sec 58 of the Income-tax Act 2025 (old Sec 44AD): declare 6% of digital receipts and 8% of cash receipts as profit, or more if you earn more. No detailed books needed.
  • If you leave this scheme after using it, you cannot come back to it for the next five years. Choose with care.
  • Under the new regime, total income up to ₹12 lakh usually means no tax after the rebate. You still file, to show the income and claim back any TDS.
  • Pay advance tax in one go by 15 March if the year's tax is ₹10,000 or more.

GST on food

Cooked food you serve or deliver is a service: register once turnover crosses ₹20 lakh. Restaurants pay 5% without tax credit. Orders through Swiggy or Zomato: the app pays the GST on them, though it may still ask for your GSTIN.

Government schemes that help

Make it official

Only what this way of earning needs. Free tools are marked; services are done by a TaxSavvy CA.

TaxSavvy serviceFSSAI registrationBasic registration or a state licence for your food business.See how it works →TaxSavvy serviceITR-4 presumptive returnYour return under Sec 58 presumptive tax, filed by a CA.See how it works →TaxSavvy serviceMudra loan fileChoose the right Mudra category and prepare your loan papers.See how it works →

Questions

How much can I earn from home tiffin service in India?

What drives it: Number of subscribers, price per meal, food cost and delivery cost. Monthly plans make income steady.

How long until the first income?

One to two weeks.

What do I need to start?

Boxes, a bigger stove or utensils, and first week's groceries. Registrations: FSSAI registration, PAN, Bank account and UPI.

Which ITR form do I file for this income?

ITR-4 (Sugam) if total income is up to ₹50 lakh; otherwise ITR-3. This is business income. With turnover up to ₹2 crore (₹3 crore if at least 95% comes in digitally) you can use Sec 58 of the Income-tax Act 2025 (old Sec 44AD): declare 6% of digital receipts and 8% of cash receipts as profit, or more if you earn more. No detailed books needed.

Do I need GST?

Cooked food you serve or deliver is a service: register once turnover crosses ₹20 lakh. Restaurants pay 5% without tax credit. Orders through Swiggy or Zomato: the app pays the GST on them, though it may still ask for your GSTIN.

Which government schemes can help?

PM Mudra Yojana, DAY-NRLM and Lakhpati Didi, PM FME. Each scheme has its own eligibility; check the official site before applying.

Sources

Read on 4 Nov 2026. Limits, rates and fees change: check the official site before you rely on them.

This guide is general information from TaxSavvy, not a promise of income. No legal way to earn is guaranteed or instant. Avoid any offer that asks you to pay to join, recruit others or bet.

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