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New Member
posted May 31, 2019 5:01:12 PM

HOW MUCH OF MY RENT CAN I DEDUCT FOR BEING A HOME CHILD CARE PROVIDER 5 DAYS WK 8HRS DAY for 5 CHILDREN?

I PROVIDE CARE FOR MY SISTER CHILDREN IN IL IN MY HOME OVERNIGHT. 5 DAY DAYS A WK FOR 8 HRS A DAY. i GET PAID BY THE STATE OF IL FOR ONLY 4 DUE TO AGE OF THE 5TH CHILD. I PAY $805 A MONTH FOR RENT, I STARTED PROVIDING CARE IN APRIL OF 2015.

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1 Best answer
Level 9
May 31, 2019 5:01:13 PM

If you use your entire home for the daycare, and don't have rooms that are used exclusively for daycare, approximately 25% of your rent will be a deduction for the business (based on the 40 hours per week that you mentioned).

When you enter your business into TurboTax, it will ask you if you have a home daycare.  Be sure to answer that correctly to have it ask you the proper followup questions.  You will enter the full amount for your rent and utilities, and TurboTax should be able to calculate the proper deduction.  Only enter your rent and utilities for the months that you did daycare.  For your hours, be sure to include additional time spent at your home when children are NOT there that you are doing work for the daycare.  That includes time used to specifically clean up and prepare for the daycare, and time for record-keeping.

I also recommend reading the Family Child Care Record-Keeping Guide, by Tom Copeland. 

4 Replies
Level 9
May 31, 2019 5:01:13 PM

If you use your entire home for the daycare, and don't have rooms that are used exclusively for daycare, approximately 25% of your rent will be a deduction for the business (based on the 40 hours per week that you mentioned).

When you enter your business into TurboTax, it will ask you if you have a home daycare.  Be sure to answer that correctly to have it ask you the proper followup questions.  You will enter the full amount for your rent and utilities, and TurboTax should be able to calculate the proper deduction.  Only enter your rent and utilities for the months that you did daycare.  For your hours, be sure to include additional time spent at your home when children are NOT there that you are doing work for the daycare.  That includes time used to specifically clean up and prepare for the daycare, and time for record-keeping.

I also recommend reading the Family Child Care Record-Keeping Guide, by Tom Copeland. 

New Member
May 31, 2019 5:01:14 PM

SO PUT BOTH MY TOTAL FOR UTILITIES AND RENT TOGETHER

Level 9
May 31, 2019 5:01:15 PM

No, TurboTax will ask for them separately.

New Member
May 31, 2019 5:01:16 PM

OK THANK YOU