How is it you pay your kids and use as a tax write off legally
by Erica Henson
(New York)
QUESTION:
We live in NY and do family group childcare my own children work around the house and I pay them but how do I use it for a tax write off legally age 9,9,14,
thank you
ANSWER:Hi Erica,
Paying your minor children for work that they do in your child care home
is a business expense. You will need a checking account in your business’ name and documentation of:
-The jobs your children are doing
-How long the jobs take them to do
- A copy of the check you write to your child
- How much is paid for each job
- Year-end total of what you paid them
I know this seems like a lot of documentation, however you want to
prove that your child is "employed/working" and you are not just handing them money and calling it a business expense.
Here’s what I was able to do:
When our children were younger and living at home, I paid them weekly with my business account checks for chores that they did for me daily. I had a list of chores I needed them to do – like vacuuming, dusting, cleaning daycare mats, bathrooms, etc… things that pertained to my daycare business. This was a very detailed and documented list that when the task was completed they checked it off. They had to earn the money. If they didn’t work, they didn’t get paid. I kept these lists in my tax documents and was able to claim these payments as a tax deduction. I was able to pay them (at that time) up to $600 per year.
With all this being said
please consult your accountant/tax person on the laws in your state. I know that they all vary and I want you to do what is legal in your state.
Thank you for your question and best of luck!
Julie