Originally Posted by Unregistered:
To the North central PA caregiver,
I would advise you to do it legal if you really feel led to childcare. Yes PA is tough, but if you were caught w/ operating a non-licensed childcare, it can get costly! Not only will the state come down on you, but your local townships also have rules of how many children a person can watch at a given time. If the utilities get wind of it they too will get you for being a business, not to mention Uncle Sam and the IRS. You may need rezoning for your home as business/residential. Been there done that. The only way you could watch 17 kids, would be license as Center, or if you want to be a home group daycare, you can be licensed for up to 12 kids at any given time. The up-side to running it out of your home legally is that you can claim many tax advantages on your home for upkeep and upgrades. Once in the system you also have many resources, training, and grants available.
Food For Thought......
There is no reason to believe that because she isn't licensed she isn't paying taxes! I have NO idea where people get that idea (you certainly aren't alone in that one!) but being unlicesned doesn't mean you don't pay taxes or issue tax statements to the parents. Also, the utility company has ZERO to do with anything...