How to calculate the daycare Time-Space percentage (IRS Pub. 587)
Exclusive vs regular-use space, hours, and Form 8829-style math — plus a free calculator.
Read guide →Guides for home daycare providers
Practical, calm explainers on Time-Space %, deductions, Georgia FCCLH paperwork, meal rates, and the forms you’ll hear about at tax time. Product pages also cover Florida FDCH and Texas RCCH packs. Educational only — not tax or legal advice.
Not tax or legal advice. Confirm current IRS publications, Form 8829 instructions, USDA rates, and your state licensing rules (DECAL, DCF, HHSC CCR, etc.) for your situation. Full disclaimer.
Home daycare tax deductions checklist for 2026
Income, direct expenses, home allocation, meals, mileage, and year-end reminders.
Read guide →Georgia FCCLH licensing paperwork checklist
DECAL Chapter 290-2-3–minded file list for enrollment, drills, safe sleep, and more.
Read guide →How to open a home daycare in Florida (FDCH checklist)
DCF family day care home licensing steps, training and screening, plus a paperwork checklist.
Read guide →How to become a registered child care home in Texas
HHSC registration steps and Chapter 747 paperwork checklist for RCCH providers.
Read guide →Standard meal rates for family daycare
How IRS standard rates track USDA CACFP Tier I — with 2026 provisional notes.
Read guide →What records to keep for an audit
Time-Space support, meal logs, mileage, income, and retention basics.
Read guide →Schedule C vs Form 8829 — plain English
Which form does what, and how the home deduction flows for daycare.
Read guide →Home daycare mileage log: 2026 IRS rate and rules
72.5¢ then 76¢ per mile in 2026, which trips count, and what your log must show.
Read guide →Year-end tuition statements for parents
Form 2441 provider info, Form W-10, and what each family's statement should include.
Read guide →How to set home daycare rates
Use Georgia, Florida and Texas market rate surveys plus your own costs to price care.
Read guide →CACFP for family child care homes (2026–27 rates)
Tier I and II USDA rates, sponsors, and how CACFP ties to IRS meal rates.
Read guide →Start with the free calculator
Most tax questions for home daycare start with a defensible Time-Space percentage.