What do the Duties of Care and Loyalty look like? HomeschoolCPA Carol Topp frequently mentions that homeschool leaders have a duty of care and loyalty to their groups. What does a duty of care look like? How do I know if I am being loyal? This recording is from a workshop given to homeschool leaders in Austin Texas in February 2020. Some of the ways to demonstrate a duty of care and loyalty for a leader include: Have Board meetings Manage the money well Have insurance Avoiding conflict of intere...
Nov 19, 2020•21 min
Mindset for Homeschool Leaders HomeschoolCPA, Carol Topp spoke to a group of homeschool group leaders in Texas about a good mindset and attitudes that are necessary for leading a homeschool group. In this episode Carol reminds leaders of three things they may have forgotten: You cannot be all things to all people-so stop trying! Your organization is not essential to the success of homeschooling! You are not responsible for homeschooling other peoples’ children! This recording is from a workshop ...
Nov 12, 2020•11 min
During the COVID-19 pandemic many homeschool programs used Zoom to stay connected with members. Three group leaders share how they used Zoom in their programs in this podcast episode. In June 2020, Carol Topp of HomeschoolCPA.com hosted a webinar titled Planning an Uncertain Future for homeschool group leaders. The purpose of the webinar was to help homeschool groups plan their fall activities given the COVID-19 pandemic was making it uncertain of they could operate. This podcast will air the hi...
Oct 15, 2020•15 min
On June 1, 2020, Carol Topp of HomeschoolCPA.com hosted a webinar titled Planning an Uncertain Future for homeschool group leaders. The purpose of the webinar was to help homeschool groups plan their fall activities given the COVID-19 pandemic was making it uncertain of they could operate. The webinar is available to watch on YouTube at no charge. https://youtu.be/AaQ1c_XuUvY? It runs for one hour and 38 minutes! This podcast will air the highlights in smaller chunks over five episodes. Join thi...
Oct 08, 2020•20 min
Do you have a concern about lawsuits related to COVID-19? As a homeschool group leader you may have concerns that a lawsuit could be brought against your group is someone contracts COVID-19. On June 1, 2020, Carol Topp of HomeschoolCPA.com hosted a webinar titled Planning an Uncertain Future for homeschool group leaders. The purpose of the webinar was to help homeschool groups plan their fall activities given the COVID-19 pandemic was making it uncertain of they could operate. The webinar is ava...
Oct 02, 2020•14 min
Social Distancing in a Homeschool Group Three homeschool leaders discuss the challenges of social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. In June 2020, Carol Topp of HomeschoolCPA.com hosted a webinar titled Planning an Uncertain Future for homeschool group leaders. The purpose of the webinar was to help homeschool groups plan their fall activities given the COVID-19 pandemic was making it uncertain of they could operate. This podcast will air the highlights in small chunks over five episodes. ...
Sep 24, 2020•15 min
Tools for Planning an Uncertain Future Carol Topp of HomeschoolCPA.com hosted a webinar titled Planning an Uncertain Future for homeschool group leaders in June 2020. The purpose of the webinar was to help homeschool groups plan their fall activities given the COVID-19 pandemic was making it uncertain of they could operate. This podcast will air the webinar highlights in small chunks over five episodes. Join this episode on using a decision matrix and the other five episodes as Carol and three p...
Sep 17, 2020•19 min
Planning an Uncertain Future for Homeschool Groups On June 1, 2020, Carol Topp of HomeschoolCPA.com hosted a webinar titled Planning an Uncertain Future for homeschool group leaders. The purpose of the webinar was to help homeschool groups plan their fall activities given the COVID-19 pandemic was making it uncertain if they could operate. The webinar is available to watch on YouTube at no charge. https://youtu.be/AaQ1c_XuUvY? It runs for one hour 38 minutes! This podcast will air the highlights...
Sep 10, 2020•19 min
This episode is an excerpt from the Indiana Homeschool Leaders Retreat. Carol Topp discusses tax exempt status and answers questions about self-declaring tax exempt status for your homeschool support group. Visit Carol’s website here FEATURED PRODUCT from HomeschoolCPA: The IRS and Your Homeschool Organization Does your homeschool group need to pay taxes? Could they avoid paying taxes by being a 501c3 tax exempt organization? Do you know the pros and cons of 501c3 status? Do you know what 501c3 ...
Aug 27, 2020•16 min
Have you heard of pod schools? They are groups of parents who gather together to educate their children outside of their public school system. They became very popular as in-person schools closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the fall of 2020. In the previous episode (#195) host Carol Topp, the Homeschool CPA, discussed with guest Julie Schiffman two distinct differences between pod schools and homeschools. Who does the educating, the pod teacher or the parent? Where does the education take pl...
Aug 13, 2020•25 min
Have you heard of “pandemic pods”? They are groups of parents who gather together to teach or hire a teacher to educate 3-6 students outside of their public school system. They became very popular as in-person schools closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the fall of 2020. Carol Topp, the Homeschool CPA discusses with guest Julie Schiffman four distinct differences between pod schools and homeschools. Who does the educating, the pod teacher or the parent? Where does the education take place: In...
Aug 06, 2020•20 min
Some homeschool groups find it difficult to find a church host. Why is that? This episode is an excerpt from a homeschool leaders retreat held in Indiana. Carol Topp discusses the relationship homeschool groups have with churches who host their programs. Visit Carol’s website here ! FEATURED PRODUCT from HomeschoolCPA: Money Management in a Homeschool Organization Does your homeschool group manage their money well? Do you have a budget and know where the money is spent? Do you know how to preven...
Jul 30, 2020•17 min
What Homeschool Leaders Don’t Know About Losing Tax Exempt Status Carol Topp, CPA, the HomeschoolCPA will share tips on important issues that homeschool leaders may not know about. This episode will focus on helping homeschool leaders know what to do if their organization has lost its tax exempt status. Visit Carol’s website here FEATURED PRODUCT from HomeschoolCPA: Does your homeschool group need to pay taxes? Could they avoid paying taxes by being a 501c3 tax exempt organization? Do you know t...
Jul 16, 2020•11 min
What Homeschool Leaders Don’t Know About IRS Annual Reports Carol Topp, CPA, the HomeschoolCPA will share tips on important issues that homeschool leaders may not know about IRS Annual Report. This episode will focus on helping homeschool leaders understand a report that the IRS requires from all tax exempt organizations–including your group! It’s called the Form 990. Visit Carol’s website here FEATURED SERVICE from HomeschoolCPA: Preparations of Annual Return for IRS Preparing the Form 990/990-...
Jul 02, 2020•7 min
What Homeschool Leaders Don’t Know About Tax Exempt Status Carol Topp, CPA, the HomeschoolCPA , will share tips on important issues that homeschool leaders may not know about. This episode will focus on helping homeschool leaders understand tax exempt status. It’s easier than ever to get tax-exempt status. Should your group apply? Visit Carol’s website here FEATURED SERVICE from HomeschoolCPA: Tax Exempt for Small Nonprofit Organization Contact HomeschoolCPA, Carol Topp, CPA, to arrange for assi...
Jun 18, 2020•12 min
What Homeschool Leaders Don’t Know About NonProfit Status Carol Topp, CPA, the HomeschoolCPA will share tips on important issues that homeschool leaders may not know about. This episode will focus on helping homeschool leaders understand nonprofit status for their groups. What does it take to be a nonprofit? Only two things! Did you know that nonprofit status is not the same thing as tax exempt status? Visit Carol’s website here FEATURED PRODUCT from HomeschoolCPA: Does your homeschool group nee...
Jun 04, 2020•11 min
In the new Board Member Manual, Carol Topp, CPA offers has important topics your board should discuss every year. Make a plan to cover one topic a month and do board training all year long. She shares those topics on today’s podcast. Visit Carol’s website here ! FEATURED PRODUCT from HomeschoolCPA: Homeschool Organization Board Manual This is a real life conversation: HomeschoolCPA: Do you have a copy of your EIN letter form the IRS? Homeschool Leader: No. It was gotten by a former treasurer 15 ...
May 21, 2020•18 min
Can My Homeschool Group Collect Money Now That’s For Next Year? Many homeschool groups collect deposits in the spring for next fall’s programs. This helps with determining how many families will be returning. But how should these early deposits be recorded in a homeschool group’s bookkeeping. Carol Topp, the Homeschool CPA offers some ideas. In the podcast Carol mentioned a handout that explains how to record early deposits in accounting software like QuickBooks. Here it is: Deferred Revenue in ...
May 14, 2020•15 min
The COVID-19 pandemic has meant that many homeschool leaders have no group to lead. Some may enjoy the break from responsibilities, but other feel lost and lonely without their groups. Carol Topp, the HomechoolCPA is joined by Doreen Browning, co-moderator of the I am a Homeschool Group Leader Facebook group and Jamie Buckland, Classical Program Consultant. Listen as Carol, Doreen and Jamie discuss: Leaders without a group can feel lost, lonely and without a purpose Perhaps this is the time to “...
Apr 09, 2020•20 min
Stay Connected with Your Homeschool Group During COV-19 The COVID-19 pandemic and the requirements to practice social distancing has meant that many homeschool groups can no longer meet face-to-face. How can homeschool groups stay connected during this time? Carol Topp, the HomechoolCPA is joined on today’s podcast by Doreen Browning, co-moderator of the I am a Homeschool Group Leader Facebook group and Jamie Buckland, Classical Program Consultant. Listen as Carol, Doreen and Jamie discuss: How ...
Apr 02, 2020•17 min
Has COVID-19, the novel corona virus pandemic, caused your homeschool group to close, suddenly? How did you make the decision to cancel your program? Carol Topp, the HomechoolCPA is joined on today’s podcast by Doreen Browning, co-moderator of the I am a Homeschool Group Leader Facebook group and Jamie Buckland, Classical Program Consultant. Listen as Carol, Doreen and Jamie discuss: Making hard decisions to close your homeschool program. The benefits of having a team help you make quick decisio...
Mar 26, 2020•16 min
Carol Topp, the Homeschool CPA, is frequently asked by small homeschool groups if they are setup up correctly. Do they owe taxes? Do they need to be a nonprofit corporation? Henry writes, “Can a small homeschool education club focused on speech and debate be categorized as an “unincorporated association” and therefore not apply for recognition by the IRS and not file taxes? Less than $2,000 pass through the club to pay for insurance and facilities… This club formed in 2015 and I joined last year...
Mar 19, 2020•13 min
Conflict of Interest: Paid teachers as board members in a homeschool group A homeschool leader is concerned about a conflict of interest if she wants to be a board member and paid teacher. Jessica, who wants to start a homeschool co-op emailed HomeschoolCPA Carol Topp this situation: “I have a question about the conflict of interest issue. Three ladies and I would like to incorporate to teach classes together and form a co-op. If we are the three board members, then does that mean we cannot prof...
Mar 05, 2020•15 min
Carol Topp, the Homeschool CPA is sometimes asked if a homeschool family can be a charity. Sometimes a homeschool spouse wants to set up a business and hire their spouse to homeschool their children. Can this be done? Are there tax breaks for doing this? R.A. writes, “I would like some preliminary information on setting up a 501(c)(7). I would like to set up my homeschool (my wife and 3 kids) up as a charitable organization. We have been homeschooling for 12 years.” Here’s her reply to these sit...
Feb 20, 2020•12 min
A homeschool leader asks if the way her group pays volunteer teacher is legal. Holly, a homeschool group leader emailed HomeschoolCPA Carol Topp this situation: “I need guidance on the method with which our organization’s volunteers are paid teacher fees. We are collecting cash from all the members for their children’s class fees, and redistributing it to the teachers for their class payment. Apparently this is being done to simply the process and so members do not have to write checks. I am con...
Feb 06, 2020•12 min
Carol Topp starts a new feature: Q&A with HomeschoolCPA in her podcast for homeschool leaders. In this first Q&A session, she is asked by a Classical Conversations® Director if she needs to give Classical Conversations® Corporation a 1099-MISC for the licensing fees she pays them. It’s an excellent question and Carol Topp, CPA explains the purpose of the 1099-MISC, who needs to get one and why. In the podcast Carol mentioned an online service she uses to prepare her 1099-MISC statements,...
Jan 23, 2020•14 min
Are you a tutor, teacher or CC director of a homeschool business? You might be very confused about your taxes. Carol Topp, the HomeschoolCPA, has a book for you! And she’s giving it away for free, but only in January 2020! The ebook is 60 pages long and contains information on: Business Start Up LLC status Tax Deductions Tax Forms Sample Tax Returns Self Employment Tax Paying Yourself Paying Others Businesses Using Churches Should My Homeschool Program Be a Nonprofit? This ebook is a great resou...
Jan 09, 2020•11 min
Do It Yourself Application for 501c3 Status – Carol Topp, the HomeschoolCPA enjoys sharing her knowledge via webinars including these three she mentions on the podcast: Create a Nonprofit Organization for Your Homeschool Community: This first webinar explains the differences between running a business and a nonprofit. Carol explains boards, budgets and Bylaws and Nonprofit Incorporation for your homeschool group. 501c3 Application : This second webinar explains what is needed to apply for 501c3 ...
Dec 12, 2019•14 min
Homeschool leaders sometimes wonder when they need an insurance policy. And what type of policy do they need? In this episode Carol Topp, CPA discusses the various types of insurance a typical homeschool group might need. Additionally, homeschool leaders get a few tips on record keeping and reimbursements for expenses. This is the final part of a 5-part series on Top 10 Tips for Homeschool Leaders, a workshop given to homeschool leaders in Wichita, Kansas Each episode can be found at HomeschoolC...
Nov 14, 2019•15 min
Lots of homeschool groups hire and pay teachers to conduct classes. Sometimes these teachers are homeschool parents, but sometimes they are professional instructors. Homeschool leaders have a lot of questions about paying teachers and other workers. Topics in this episode include: • Independent Contractor or employee • The factors the IRS considers in classifying workers • What if parents pay teachers directly? • How paying teachers affects your church host • Can Independent Contractors receive ...
Oct 31, 2019•17 min
