Fish Tank Question

[Unregistered]

Tom,

My husband recently started putting fish tanks up in the downstairs (daycare) area of our home. Can I write these off at time/space%? We have several up. Could I include purchase of the tanks, fish, water, decorations, food, etc? The kids love the fish and we look at and talk about them all the time. I wasn't sure how to do this on pets?

Thanks!

[Unregistered]

Tom,

My husband recently started putting fish tanks up in the downstairs (daycare) area of our home. Can I write these off at time/space%? We have several up. Could I include purchase of the tanks, fish, water, decorations, food, etc? The kids love the fish and we look at and talk about them all the time. I wasn't sure how to do this on pets?

Thanks!

OP Here, I also wanted to ask about the mileage for it? Can I claim any of that as well?

[TomCopeland]

Providers are entitled to deduct all expenses that are "ordinary and necessary" for their business. If you use your fish tank to help teach the children in your care then you can deduct the costs associated with it. You should keep records indicating how you incorporated the fish into your learning program (children feed them, they draw fish, you talk about fish, etc). If the fish tank is in a room that your family uses as well use your time-space percentage for all the costs. You can deduct the mileage to pick up the fish tanks, etc. as well.

Note: Some providers have a fish tank in their own child's bedroom and do not involve the day care children in learning about fish. In this case, the fish tank would not be deductible.