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Sandbox Sally
02-15-2012, 01:49 PM
Hi guys! Boy do I love tax time (insert sarcastic emoticon here).

This is my first year filing as a daycare provider, and I am wondering about security deposits. I use security deposits for the last two weeks the children are in my care, and so far, they're all still in my care.

Should I include the deposits as income for this year, or should I include it for the tax year for which I use it?

ALSO: Any other helpful tax prep hints you could throw my way would be very greatly appreciated. :D

jazmic
02-15-2012, 02:20 PM
I second this question! I'm wondering the exact same thing. :)

Rangersangel
02-15-2012, 03:31 PM
Its applied to the tax receipt for the year it is used. Like rent would be. So if it was to hold the space and will not be applied to future fees. Then it would be put down as payment on your tax receipt for 2011. However if it will be used to cover the child's last week in care then it would go on that years receipt. At least that's how I do it. Its saves everyone from accidentally claiming more then once.

playfelt
02-15-2012, 04:07 PM
I always thought it had to be claimed in the year received since you banked it and presumably had it spend as income. Then in the year they leave you will just not claim income for the two weeks they come but don't pay.

Inspired by Reggio
02-16-2012, 03:25 PM
I think whatever works for YOU as long as you DO eventually claim it and give them a receipt for it is fine - it is not like we are talking enough to make a huge difference in tax owed here like with a Real Estate deposit ;)

I personally do NOT spend the Security Deposit - it gets deposited it into my 'savings account' and keep it there for when they leave and if they give me LOTS of notice they are leaving I try to budget for that dip in income and than can leave it in my savings however if I get only two weeks notice and am not prepared and I 'need' the income I transfer it out - it is a forced savings for me to have that rainy day fund this business requires - plus to save for the tax bill and other things that might come up :(

Book keeping wise - it sits there in their account as a 'credit' and when proper notice is given it is applied to their last two weeks of care than I remove the credit and apply to their account and therefore it will show up in their 'annual receipt' for that tax year it was applied.