Starting a Homeschool Group

Checklist | Articles | Sample Documents | Helpful Blog posts | Facebook Group for Leaders | Tips for Tiny Groups

Need One-On-One Help?

As of June 1, 2022, I, Carol Topp, CPA, am semi-retired and will no longer be offering one-on-one consultations. Instead, I offer you a selection of carefully selected, qualified, highly experienced homeschool consultants all who have led (or are still leading) homeschool nonprofit organizations!

I have 100% confidence in these fabulous, knowledgeable, and skilled individuals. If they have a question or need clarification on an issue, they will reach out to me.
Recommended Homeschool Group Consultants

Becky Abrams

Becky Abrams is a homeschool leader in Oregon (Pacific time). She has extensive experience in starting homeschool groups, especially nonprofit hybrid homeschool programs and offers consultations.

Doreen Browning

Doreen Browning has extensive experience in both homeschool and non homeschool nonprofits and can help you understand this strange new world! 

Rebecca Foley

Rebecca Foley knows all about hybrid homeschool groups, from crafting a vision to finding a building and hiring teachers. Her expertise is a great resource for all hybrid groups.

Sarah McCubbins

Sarah McCubbin offers helpful, encouraging articles, resources and consultations to help you run your group! She also knows a lot about setting goals, organizing, and running a homeschool group without burning out!

Ashley Richards

Ashley Richards leads a Catholic, all-volunteer homeschool co-op in Indiana. She offers consultations to leaders that want to discuss Classical, Catholic homeschooling. Ask her about getting a co-op organized and using systems to help keep you sane!

Anna Clark, owner of 501c.Solutions is a former homeschool leader and an expert in helping nonprofits start up and apply for 501c3 tax exempt status.

Recent Blog Posts

Handout for Money Management and Reporting workshop

I was called out of my semi-retirement to speak to 120 homeschool leaders about Money Management and reporting! How could I refuse? Home Educators Association of Virginia is hosting its annual LeaderLife Conference in Washington, D.C. March 15 and 16, 2024. My workshop is on Money Management and Reporting Slides (pdf) Handout (pdf) or Handout…

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The differences in cost of starting a microschool or homeschool co-op

I read this very interesting article from Education Next titled “A New Crop of School Models Expands Choice” by Michael Q McShane, director of national research at EdChoice. In the article he examines the increasing popularity of microschools and hybrid schools. It’s a long article and well researched. It’s worth your time to read it…

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Do homeschool groups have to file this new FinCEN report?

The US Department of Treasury wants all “business entities” formed by filing with their Secretary of State to register in 2024 in their new Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting. Here’s a handy information brochure. This new new federal database is designed to identify criminals, money launderers, and other bad actors who use companies to conceal their…

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IRS delayed implementing lower threshold for Form 1099-Ks again!

History repeats itself sometimes and this is a good time! The IRS is again delaying the implementation of lower reporting thresholds for Form 1099-K. Form 1099-K is a form a taxpayer (in this case a homeschool group) will receive if they use third-party payor services like Paypal, Venmo, Stripe, etc. to receive payments. Following feedback…

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Homeschool Group FAQ

Should my homeschool group be a for-profit or non-profit?

There are many reasons why homeschool groups form and operate as nonprofit organizations rather than businesses.
Read Answer

Tiny groups are more informal, some don’t collect any money and most don’t have a formal board like a typical nonprofit homeschool group. Learn More

What do I need to know about starting a tiny homeschool group?

In this short podcast episode (12 minutes) Carol Topp, CPA explains the benefits of forming your homeschool group as a nonprofit corporation and why a leader would want limited liability protection. Listen to the Podcast

Should my homeschool group incorporate as a non-profit?

What does it take to be a nonprofit?

You might be surprised at how simple it is to form a nonprofit organization. Here’s what it takes

How to self declare 501c tax exempt status? It involves calling the IRS.

Your homeschool group may be able to “self-declare” 501c tax exempt status and not officially apply. Here’s what to do

FAQ on IRS Form 990-N ePostcard for small nonprofits.

The IRS Form 990-N is a simple, online form that all nonprofit tax exempt organizations with annual gross revenues of less than $50,000 must file every year. Read Instructions

Is my homeschool group a school?

Some homeschool groups look a lot like schools. They offer a full curriculum, there are teachers teaching classes, they rent space to conduct the classes, etc. But are they “schools?” See Answer

FAQ on Property Tax for Churches Hosting Homeschool Programs

Churches may be at risk for having their property tax exemption affected if they host a business. Read the FAQ

Should I pay teachers as employees?

I state pretty clearly in my book Paying Workers in a Homeschool Organization  that teachers in a homeschool program should be treated as employees not Independent Contractors.

Here’s why. Read Full Article