Kindle editions to Paying Workers and IRS and Your Homeschool Organization

I’m pleased to announce that two of my books are available for the Kindle:

        

 

Paying Workers in a Homeschool Organization Kindle price $2.99

The IRS and Your Homeschool Organization Kindle edition $3.99

Available here:

http://www.amazon.com/Carol-Topp/e/B00279FSNQ

 

Don’t have a Kindle? No problem! Read Kindle books on your PC with this free application:

Kindle for PC

 

Carol Topp, CPA

Webinar tonight: The IRS and Your Homeschool Organization

My webinar is tonight Thursday, Oct 27, 2011 at 8 pm ET

Paperback book:The IRS and Your Homeschool Organizations

A 120 page book explaining the pros and cons of tax exempt 501c3 status. Is it needed? Is it worth it? Also covered are non profit incorporation, the application process, and how to maintain tax exempt status. Written specifically for homeschool groups.

Table of Contents
Read Sample Chapter One

Price: $9.95

Using Facebook for your homeschool group?

Some homeschool leaders over at the Facebook group I am a Homeschool Group Leader were discussing using Facebook as a way to communicate with their members:

Does anyone use Facebook to connect your group members? Do you have a FB group or just a page? What are the pros/cons of each? So many people are on FB now, but is there any benefit to using FB when we already have a Yahoo Group and a website?

We do NOT have a Facebook page for our group. I have not pushed the issue since most of the other board members are very concerned about privacy and have told me that they hate Facebook. However, I do create events for some of our functions that are open to the public, invite people, and ask them to pass the word along. Every time i do this I usually have a couple of people come because they heard about it on Facebook.-Lori C.

We actually started a high school student council FB page. It is ‘secret’ from everyone except members. Parents and students can join the group. Right now, it’s not hugely active, because not everyone is on FB and there is some disagreement about this being a good way to communicate. We do also send out emails and post on our website forums all the student council info as well.-Abby

I set up a FB group for our group and that was the worse thing I could have done. None of the ladies knew each other before I created the group. They used FB to friend each other and then started meeting behind my back which ultimately lead to the all of them teaming up against me to start their own group.  I guess it just depends on the type of people you are dealing with.-Amy

We set up a FB group last year and it has been very effective. Pretty much use it to post events. I like how the events give reminders. We are not a really large group about 25 to 30 families. We also have a yahoo group for those very few that aren’t on FB and are in the process of getting a web page designed. If you are concerned about privacy you can make it a secret group where no one sees it that is not approved in the group. We only allow parents in the group to post on the board.- Jan

We use both a website and FB page. we are able to get in contact with all our members (support group members and co-op members) by both methods. we share are “public” events on FB for all members and then our co-op group activities are posted on the website. it is a lot easier to share links etc on FB. Most of our members are on FB.-Leslie

We got a page last year for our group. Its private, and we screen everyone who wants to join. You would have to know somebody in our group and they can verify and tell us about you. Last year when it was brought up a few people did not like the idea. It was made and most everyone loves it since we can add pictures and other things to it. I feel that it has brought the group closer together instead of just emails thru yahoo. More personable.-Melissa

Helpful links

Have you stopped by my LINKS page lately?

I have upgraded it and added a few more helpful books, links  and resources for leaders.

Did you know about the blog for homeschool leaders (besides my own blog)?

or how about an on-line support group for homeschool leaders? One exists. The link is on my LINKS page here.

Need some legal help? Go to my LINKS page and find a link to Homeschool Legal Advantage and then read the article about how they helped one group deal with a difficult situation with the IRS.

If you come across any helpful links for homeschool leaders, let me know and I’ll add them.

Carol Topp, CPA

Getting people to help in a co-op

I just found out about One-by-One (a book on motivating members in a homeschool group), it sounds like JUST what I need, I’m excited to order it. It’s the biggest struggle and frustration I have, trying to get people involved, committed and to follow-through! Really hoping the book can help me figure out how to get members out of the “give-me” mode!!! How do you ladies accomplish this?

We’re not 501c3 and don’t want to be!

photo credit: stevendepolo

Our support group has been in existence over 20 years… and we are    STILL    not    a 501(c)(3) …. and don’t want to be!

It would take so much more work, money, etc. to be a 501(c)(3)!!

Many times it is hard for our members to understand this — they think any group who’s not set up as a ‘business’ to ‘make money’ has to be a 501(c)(3).  Our group does NOT take donations — membership fees cover our cost of doing business. And they are reasonable — $10 a year, to get our newsletter via email, $20 if you want it printed and mailed to you.  We put out a group directory each year, pay for some things like church rental for our Back to School meeting, copies of membership forms & information about homeschooling that we distribute, etc.

Karleen
Conroe, TX

Karleen,

I need to warn you in your some of your assumptions. I’m a CPA and work with homeschool organizations to organize properly and decrease their tax liabilities by obtaining tax exempt status with the IRS.

I answered a leader who asked, “Can’t we operate without IRS tax exemption?” in this blog post:
http://homeschoolcpa.com/cant-we-operate-without-irs-tax-exempt-status/

You wrote: “they think any group who’s not set up as a ‘business’ to ‘make money’ has to be a501(c)(3).”

They are partially correct. If your organization makes a profit, it owes tax unless it is legally tax exempt.

If your group is a nonprofit (i.e. no profit motive) you have one of 4 legal choices:
(see all this in detail on my website http://homeschoolcpa.com/group-over-the-5k-limit-what-to-do/

1. Stay small and remain under the IRS threshold for filing for 501c3 status. The IRS threshold is $5,000 in gross annual income. If you bring in more than $5,000 a year, you must legally do one of the three following options.
2. Consider another tax exempt status such as 501c7 Social Club if you are a support group. See my blog posts on that issue here http://homeschoolcpa.com/are-homeschool-support-groups-automatically-tax-exempt/
3. File for tax exemption under 501c3 as an educational organization
4. Pay your taxes.

In a nutshell, a homeschool group must be be small enough, fit the 501c7 Social club definition, or file for tax exempt status to avoid paying tax.

Just because you do not accept donations does not exempt you from the IRS and tax regulations.

The USA offers a wonderful opportunity for nonprofit groups to keep all of their surplus and avoid paying taxes on it. But it does mean filing one time a document with the IRS to become a tax exempt organization.

I hope that clears things up a bit.

Carol Topp, CPA
HomeschoolCPA.com

Carnival of Homeschooling-One Thousand Gifts

This Carnival is dedicated to Kristen Fagala, wife of Paul and mother to 7 children, who passed away from a sudden brain aneurysm. She was an inspiration and encouragement to homeschool leaders. What a loss to all of us in the homeschooling world, and especially to her family. Offer your condolences on her Facebook page.

Welcome to the Carnival of Homeschooling-One Thousand Gifts theme

The theme for this blog carnival is based on  the book by homeschool mom Ann Voskamp One Thousand Gifts. We are focusing on all the gifts we’ve been given as homeschoolers and all the gifts (especially the unexpected ones) we’ve received.

Please post a comment and add to our list of gifts; we’d love to see your blessings!

My list begins with these gifts:

• air conditioning (so we’re not grumpy with each other!)
• other homeschool parents who share their experience
• books, books, books!
• homeschool conventions and vendors
• time with my daughters

Time with our children

Laura Grace Weldon shares how her kids are blessed with the freedom to be themselves can grow up strong enough to follow their dreams in “Strong Enough to be Ourselves” Laura’s gifts include lasting memories, laughter, family sayings worth repeating

The Home Educating Family Publishing Blog says that there’s one very special gift homeschooling brings to military families: time in a blog post titled The Gifts of Homeschooling. Some of the gifts homeschooling has brought include: time; family togetherness; opportunities; adventures; community; personalized education

Linda Dobson reminds parents that only you can rescue your child from the schooling that causes lasting psychic damage in Schooling Causes Psychic Damage Lasting Into Adulthood | PARENT AT THE HELM posted at PARENT AT THE HELM.

Henry from Why Homeschool writes about a new tradition for his family: Weekly Family Councils.

Homeschool vendors

Kay Ryan presents Internet Safety For Kids Podcast ? Episode #11 posted at Keep Your Family Safe Online, saying, “Bryan Bowers interviews Mary Kay Hoal, with YourSphere Media. Mary Kay is a nationally recognized expert in child Internet safety and was recently featured on the ABC News show 20/20. This is the second in a three part series.”

Amy shares Geography Resources posted at Hope Is the Word.

Nebby presents Things that are Supposed to be Good (re Homeschool Curricula) posted at Letters from Nebby.

Other who share their homeschool experience

Andrea of Notes from a Homeschool Mom shares Reasons why I’m glad we homeschool: CRCT fiasco. Local public schools were busted in a huge test cheating fiasco. So why do they want us homeschoolers testing again? Andrea’s gifts of homeschooling include closeness with my kids, expressive children, independent children, educational freedom and a heightened sense of responsibility.

Robin of Crack the Egg Blog blogs that if every homeschooling mom keeps these three things in mind, she won’t be bothered by watching other families with a summer break and wondering why she’s not getting one in Homeschool Organization: Three Tips to Help You Relax. Robin is thankful for these gifts: Not asking permission to pursue what we love, enjoying science with a cat in your lap and time and freedom to read about math, not just do it.

Lisa from Four Simply Living sees homeschooling not as a sacrifice but as a ministry. “How did do I change my pity to passion? I chose to look at homeschooling with different eyes. I no longer see this commitment as a sacrifice; I see it as a reward.” in her post Homeschooling Pity to Passion . Gifts that homeschooling has brought her include: turning pity to passion, knowing that God has my back, coffee, cookies and hot chocolate, home-ec at its best, really knowing who my kids are, and marveling at the gift of being able to spend every day with them, all day!

Cristina Payne presents Impressing Learning posted at Home Spun Juggling, saying, “Sometimes it’s better to lead by example. They learn when they are ready.” 3 gifts: wildlife (we learn so much from it!), a working car, art supplies.

ChristineMM presents A Risk My Husband (and I) Are Willing to Take posted at The Thinking Mother, saying, “ChristineMM of The Thinking Mother shares the content of a lecture her husband gave their 13 year old son about education.”

Jen from Chestnut Grove Academy explains the Why and How of using workboxes in a homeschool at Revisiting the ‘WHY’ and ‘HOW TO’ of work boxes

Book, books, books! (and other great stuff!)

Jen of Frugal Kids shows parents/teachers how to use foam shapes to explore sorting, matching, and making patterns with their preschoolers in Sorting, Matching, and Pattern Fun

Katherine of No fighting, no biting! blogs that after much angst, her 7 year old is reading in busting through the wall. Katherine’s gifts include a quality education for the children, more family cohesiveness, freedom, as opposed to being on someone else’s schedule

momtobe0520 presents the socialization issue posted at Bugs, Knights, and Turkeys in the Yard, saying, “Another voice on the issue of homeschool and socialization” as she reviews Rick Boyer’s The Socialization Trap.

Miss Nirvana presents Garfield Park Conservatory and Sunken Garden in Indianapolis posted at Nirvana Homeschooling.

Pamela Jorrick tells about the fun and trial of  Early Morning Camp Week posted at Blah, Blah, Blog. Her gifts : Sleeping in * Reading books in PJs * Strong family relationships * Watching my children grow and learn * Rediscovering my own love of learning

Kathi Weiss shares what her family does for fun and learning in It’s Too Hot To Think posted at Homeschool Online.

Lisa at School Marm Ohio has been busy reading and shares her recommendations  in Reads for High School. Her gift list includes  Cuddle time on the couch, Dreams shared, “Ah-ha!” moments, Sharing life as a family, Being real, Sharing my passion for the Lord and life with my sons, Seizing the moment, Field trips, Thinking outside the box, Sock fights, Hugs and kisses (Still even though they are young men) and A lifetime of memories

____________________________

Thanks to everyone who shared.

Since I dedicated this Carnival to my friend, fellow homeschooler, Kristen Fagala, I need to add to my gift list: Friends I make via the internet, the hope of eternal life, examples of generosity from other homeschool mothers, prayers of others, kind words, reminders that life is short.

Please post a comment and add to our list of gifts; we’d love to see your blessings!

Next week’s carnival will be hosted at MrsMamaHen.blogspot.com/

Carol Topp, CPA

HomeschoolCPA.com

Tragic loss

I am in shock at the sudden loss of my friend Kristen Fragala, wife of Paul and mother to 7 children, who went to be with the Lord yesterday after having a brain aneurysm.

She wrote One By One: The Homeschool Group Leader’s Guide to Motivating Your Members and was an inspiration and encouragement to homeschool leaders. What a loss to us all, especially her family.

Kristen was a wonderful, generous woman who wanted to share what she knew about leading a homeschool group with others.

She also ran a website and Facebook group for homeschool leaders. Offer your condolences here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/72534255742

She will be greatly missed.

Carol Topp, CPA

P.S. If you would like to purchase Kristen’s book One by One (Ebook) just click here and I will donate all proceeds to her family.

I’ll be hosting the Carnival of Homeschooling next week

Next week (starting Tuesday July 19), this blog, HomeschoolCPA will be hosting the Carnival Of Homeschooling.

The Carnival of Homeschooling is a weekly blog carnival. The carnival showcases posts about homeschooling from both seasoned and new bloggers. Various bloggers take turns hosting the carnival.

We welcome posts about homeschooling. (I will reject blog posts that do not apply to homeschooling). You can learn how to submit a post. Posts are due by Monday at 6 pm

The theme next week will be One Thousand Gifts based on the book by homeschool mom Ann Voskamp.

We’ll be focusing on all the gifts we’ve been given as homeschoolers and all the gifts (especially the unexpected ones) we’ve received.

When you submit a blog post will you consider adding to the list of 1,000 gifts with 3 to 5 more gifts of your own? Maybe we can get to 1,000!

I’ll start:

• air conditioning (so we’re not grumpy with each other!)
• other homeschool parents who share their experience
• books, books, books!
• homeschool conventions
• time with my daughters

Visit the One Thousand Gifts website and see the twitter feed as other post the gifts they are thankful for.

Submit your blog post on homeschooling and a few of the gifts you have received by sending the following to
CarnivalOfHomeschooling@Gmail.com

• Title of Post
• URL of Post
• Name of Blog
• URL of Blog
• Brief summary of the post
• Some of the gifts homeschooling has brought you (short phrases or single words please)

(With “carnival” or “submission” in the subject field of the email.)

Carol Topp, CPA

HomeschoolCPA.com

Do not use individual fund raising accounts

From Parent Booster USA comes this warning about fund raising accounts:

Do not use individual fundraising accounts (IFAs) without a legal review. The IRS has strict rules on any activity that benefits the individual members of a group. The IRS generally finds IFAs to violate its rules. IFAs are activities in which parents/students engage in cooperative fundraising activities, providing “credit” to the individual “accounts” of those who participate in the fundraising activity(ies). Only in very limited circumstances are IFAs considered legal fundraising activities of booster clubs. Parent Booster USA can provide assistance in obtaining a legal review of an organization’s IFA policy. See also Individual Fundraising Accounts.

I agree with Parent Booster USA, the IRS does not allow nonprofits to establish individual fund raising accounts, where an individual or family get a part of the fund raising proceeds for their personal use.

To learn more about fund raisers for your homeschool group, read my article “Easy Fund Raisers for Homeschool Groups” here

and my blog posts on fund raising here.

Carol Topp, CPA

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