Technology and automation resources

There are programs you can install on your phone that track the miles you drive in your car. You can then mark each trip as personal or business related. The program should produce a log that shows dates traveled, number of miles traveled, and how much you can deduct from your taxes. At the end of the year, you'll have a log to share with your tax preparer. 

Track each vehicle that you use for business. For example, if you have a van for transporting children and sometimes use your personal car to buy business supplies, record the trips made in each vehicle and log them in the program. If you need help figuring out how much of your mileage is a business expenses, you can filter your trips by business-related and personal use. 

Most payroll services let you enter yours and your employees' hours and pay them. They can also handle all your federal and state tax filings. Automating your payroll is an easy way to keep track of payments for your records. Many payroll companies have added human resources features to make onboarding and transitioning out employees easier. 

Collecting tuition and maintaining cash flow is an important part of your business. There are mobile applications that are easy to use and allow families to pay you directly from their phone. These applications charge service fees, and tax laws require you to report the cash you receive. However, the speed and ease of making payments can be appealing to families and can reduce the time it takes you to get paid. 

Child care businesses need some sort of online presence, like a business website. Alternatives to a business website are Google My Business, Yelp, or other online business directories. These directories are easy to start up and use. You can ask current and former families to write reviews, which will make your business more attractive to potential customers. 

You might also want a business website, it doesn't mean you have to hire a web designer. There are website-building sites that include hosting and have easy-to-use templates. This allows you to have a nice-looking website in just a few hours and update the website yourself when you want. 

An important part of promoting your business is having visually appealing materials. This could be business cards to hand out at events, brochures explaining your services, or well-designed pages on your website. You don't have to hire a graphic designer to get high-quality graphic design. There are many online services and applications that can help you quickly design attractive materials. 

A good bookkeeping system can help you understand how much income you're making, how your money is being spent, and help you during tax time. Some bookkeeping systems can connect to your bank accounts or your credit card and payment systems to import transactions, so you don't have to enter data manually. Many systems work with payroll and other services to create a one-stop shop. 

QuickBooks is probably the most well-known accounting software but can be complicated. There are other simpler options that are more affordable and have some of the same features as QuickBooks. 

Disclaimer

The information contained here is for educational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal, tax, or financial advice.