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Daycare and Taxes>Doing Own Taxes vs. CPA
Lovisa 10:16 AM 01-14-2016
How many of you do your own taxes and don't hire a professional? This is my first year as a provider and I only worked less than half of the year (it has been a slow start for sure). I didn't make much (between 5 and 6 grand roughly). I have done quite a bit of research on figuring out the time space percentage, finding out what can and cannot be used as a write off, etc. I have kept good records of hours worked (both watching kiddos and cleaning/bookkeeping time), money made, meal counts, kept all receipts, etc.

I guess I'm just wondering if it is super complicated to where a tax pro is needed or will Turbo Tax or H&RBlock make it easy enough to file on our own.

TIA!
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kendallina 10:40 AM 01-14-2016
I've been doing my own since I opened 5 years ago. If you're accustomed to doing taxes and do your research, you should be fine. I would absolutely recommend getting some of Tom Copeland's books. I would have endless questions if I hadn't read his books.

ETA: I hired an assistant this year, so I did meet with a payroll accountant that could help me understand how to handle an employee's withholdings and taxes specifically in regards to state and local taxes. Tom's book covers federal taxes for employees.
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Cat Herder 10:50 AM 01-14-2016
I do both.

I use MMK Pro religiously, then print everything off for my CPA.

Worth every penny, and then some. To me.
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Lovisa 10:54 AM 01-14-2016
Originally Posted by kendallina:
I've been doing my own since I opened 5 years ago. If you're accustomed to doing taxes and do your research, you should be fine. I would absolutely recommend getting some of Tom Copeland's books. I would have endless questions if I hadn't read his books.
We have always done our own taxes Definitely plan on getting some of those books before my husband and I do our taxes!
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Thriftylady 11:09 AM 01-14-2016
I do my own. One year I paid someone and got them back and looked them over and she had put my whole house as a 100% deduction. I called her about it and she argued it was legal due to the home office rule. After that I don't trust anyone.
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Blackcat31 11:54 AM 01-14-2016
Originally Posted by Cat Herder:
I do both.

I use MMK Pro religiously, then print everything off for my CPA.

Worth every penny, and then some. To me.
This ^^^

I dont have the time or interest to do them myself.

ETA: my CPA charges me less than $200 so MORE than worth it to me.
Plus that cost is tax deductible too
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Lovisa 02:12 PM 01-14-2016
Man, I just signed up for the 30 day trial of MMK (never heard of it until now) and it is CRAZY helpful! I wish I had this for all of last year! I am paying the yearly amount today and will be using this every day. Such a helpful site!
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Michael 02:57 PM 01-14-2016
Here is a previous poll on the subject: https://www.daycare.com/forum/showthread.php?t=41854
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Tags:cpa, minute menu, mmk, tax preparation, tax preparation - own self
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