What Self-Employed Moms & Parents Should Know Before Filing (Home Office, Dependents, Childcare Credits)
- The Self Employed Lab
- Dec 3
- 4 min read
By: Nahla Billie | The Self-Employed Lab
Let me talk to my moms and parents for a second — because listen…Doing taxes when you’re self-employed is already a whole workout in itself.
Doing taxes when you’re self-employed AND you’re juggling kids, school drop-offs, daycare, extracurriculars, tantrums, and trying to run a business from your kitchen table or your car?
That’s a different level of reality. And I SEE you.
This blog is for the moms, dads, single parents, bonus parents, aunties, uncles — anybody raising kids while also trying to build a business. Let’s break down what really matters before you file, so you don’t miss out on money you’ve earned or credits you deserve.
Your Home Office Counts — Even If It’s Not Pinterest Perfect
Let’s get something straight: You do not need a fancy, glass-door office with a nameplate to qualify for the home-office deduction.
If you have:✔ a corner of your bedroom✔ a section of your dining room✔ a tiny desk in your hallway✔ a quiet (sometimes) nook where you run your business
…that counts.
As long as you use that area regularly and exclusively for business — even if it’s just a designated space — you can deduct a portion of:
Rent or mortgage interest
Utilities
Internet
Home repairs
Insurance
Property taxes
This is one of the most powerful deductions self-employed parents leave on the table simply because they think their space “isn’t official enough.” Baby, if only you knew how many tax returns I’ve filed for parents working from the laundry room…
Your Kids Aren’t Just Loud — They’re Tax Benefits (Legally!)
Yes, your child yelling “MOMMMM!” during a Zoom call is stressful…but that same child may qualify you for:
✔ Child Tax Credit (CTC)
This credit helps reduce your federal tax, and depending on income, part of it may even be refundable.
✔ Additional Child Tax Credit
For some parents, this means money back in your pocket.
✔ Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
Self-employed? YES — you may still qualify depending on income and dependents.
✔ Child & Dependent Care Credit
If you pay for childcare so you can work — daycare, babysitter, nanny, after-school care — you can deduct a portion of that cost.
Let me repeat that louder for the people in the back:
If you pay for childcare so you can earn money, the IRS gives you a break for that.
Don’t Forget About Birth–12 Expenses
So many self-employed parents overlook these:
Babysitters
Nanny share
After-school programs
Dance, sports, camps (ONLY if they are childcare so YOU can work)
Summer care
In-home childcare providers
Preschools and child development centers
If you pay someone to watch your children so you can work — that counts.
Just make sure your provider is legit and has either:
SSN
EIN
Or a business license
(Trust me, you don’t want issues when you're trying to claim the credit.)
Track EVERYTHING — Because Parents Spend Money in 100 Little Ways
Self-employed parents often don’t realize how many expenses legally connect to their business because they’re so used to surviving the chaos.
Let me say this: You are probably deducting less than you should.
Don’t forget:
✔ mileage for errands related to your business (even if you're also picking up kids)
✔ office supplies
✔ education & online courses
✔ software & subscriptions
✔ business meals
✔ your phone bill
✔ part of your utilities
✔ advertising
✔ equipment (laptop, printer, etc.)
You’re running a real business while raising a family. And the IRS has rules that actually support you — you just need to know how to use them.
Retirement Contributions Lower Your Taxes — Even If You’re Not “100% Put Together” Yet
A lot of self-employed parents say: “I can’t afford retirement — I’m trying to afford snacks.”
I get it. But here’s what you need to know: You don’t need a lot. You just need to start.
SEP-IRAs, Traditional IRAs, and Solo 401(k)s are all available to you — and contributing to any of them:
Lowers your taxable income
Builds long-term savings
Gives you a deduction immediately
You can start small — even $50 matters.
Keep Your Books Clean — You Will Thank Yourself Later
You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to have receipts color-coded and alphabetized. Just stay consistent.
If you have:
A bookkeeping system
Clean categories
Business vs. personal separated
…you’re already winning.
Plus, when life gets “lifey,” you don’t want to scramble during tax season.
Give Yourself Grace — You’re Doing Two Jobs at Once
Being self-employed is a lot. Being a parent is a lot. Being BOTH? That’s superhero work.
Don’t compare your behind-the-scenes chaos to someone else’s Instagram highlight reel.
You’re building something — for yourself and your kids — and that alone is worth celebrating.
FINAL WORD: You Deserve Support, Not Stress
If you’re overwhelmed, confused, or you don’t want to miss deductions — get help. That’s what I’m here for.
Whether it’s:
✔ bookkeeping
✔ tax filing
✔ tax planning
✔ self-employment strategy
✔ S-Corp questions
✔ or just “Nahla, PLEASE help me figure this out”
I’ve got you.
You don’t have to do this alone.
Feeling overwhelmed as a self-employed parent? You don't have to figure this out alone. Click below and let me help you get your taxes, books, and credits handled— the right way.
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