Pest Control Question

[daycarediva]

I had a child with bedbugs. They were visible on child's belongings. I termed immediately. I had a company come in and do a full inspection and follow up, and purchased items to prevent an infestation as recommended by the company. Since my children's bedrooms are adjacent to my daycare space, I purchased them all mattress protectors, pillowcase covers, put traps in their rooms, and did a thorough cleaning with alcohol. Can I deduct all or part of this? My accountant is saying no- none of it. I am thinking YES, ALL of it! We have never had to hire pest control before or needed any bed bug prevention items.

If I can deduct all or part, where do I list this? repair and maintenance?

Thanks!

[Thriftylady]

That is a good question, since you wouldn't have had them come in with a child if you didn't do daycare.

[Michael]

That would be a good question for Tom. I would think you could write off the whole upgrade. I would keep on hand the recommendation for the pest control company that it was the only way to prevent infestation.

[Play Care]

I had a child with bedbugs. They were visible on child's belongings. I termed immediately. I had a company come in and do a full inspection and follow up, and purchased items to prevent an infestation as recommended by the company. Since my children's bedrooms are adjacent to my daycare space, I purchased them all mattress protectors, pillowcase covers, put traps in their rooms, and did a thorough cleaning with alcohol. Can I deduct all or part of this? My accountant is saying no- none of it. I am thinking YES, ALL of it! We have never had to hire pest control before or needed any bed bug prevention items.

If I can deduct all or part, where do I list this? repair and maintenance?

Thanks!

I seem to recall a couple of years ago when we had mice being able to deduct some of the expense because licensing requires a day care be free of rodents. We had to have some sealing work, as well we bait stations outside.
I'd have to look at our taxes. But frankly I still have PTSD from the whole experience.

[daycarediva]

I seem to recall a couple of years ago when we had mice being able to deduct some of the expense because licensing requires a day care be free of rodents. We had to have some sealing work, as well we bait stations outside.
I'd have to look at our taxes. But frankly I still have PTSD from the whole experience.

I am still itchy and twitchy. Thankfully, there has been zero evidence of a spread, but we are still in the waiting period of eggs potentially hatching.

That would be a good question for Tom. I would think you could write off the whole upgrade. I would keep on hand the recommendation for the pest control company that it was the only way to prevent infestation.

I made sure to get it in writing and have photocopied it just in case the original receipt fades as well.

That is a good question, since you wouldn't have had them come in with a child if you didn't do daycare.

That was my point to my accountant. If the child hadn't brought them in..... I even have documentation/emails back and forth with dcm regarding the issue of the bites AND she emailed me about being unprofessional and that they're 'just bugs'. So I have that email printed as well.

[TomCopeland]

bedbugs

I had a child with bedbugs. They were visible on child's belongings. I termed immediately. I had a company come in and do a full inspection and follow up, and purchased items to prevent an infestation as recommended by the company. Since my children's bedrooms are adjacent to my daycare space, I purchased them all mattress protectors, pillowcase covers, put traps in their rooms, and did a thorough cleaning with alcohol. Can I deduct all or part of this? My accountant is saying no- none of it. I am thinking YES, ALL of it! We have never had to hire pest control before or needed any bed bug prevention items.

If I can deduct all or part, where do I list this? repair and maintenance?

Thanks!

Since the bedbugs were brought in by a client, deduct 100% of the cost. I assume you must clean your own children's bedrooms, otherwise it can spread.

[daycarediva]

Since the bedbugs were brought in by a client, deduct 100% of the cost. I assume you must clean your own children's bedrooms, otherwise it can spread.

Thank you Tom! Yes they had to be cleaned nightly, everything dried on high in the dryer nightly (including all sheets, comforters, pillowcases and daycare bedding (still doing this for the next 6 weeks to prevent infestation should eggs have been laid in my home). Can I include time spent cleaning on my time/space as well?

[TomCopeland]

time-space %

Thank you Tom! Yes they had to be cleaned nightly, everything dried on high in the dryer nightly (including all sheets, comforters, pillowcases and daycare bedding (still doing this for the next 6 weeks to prevent infestation should eggs have been laid in my home). Can I include time spent cleaning on my time/space as well?

Yes, because you wouldn't have had to spend any of this time if it wasn't for your business.

[daycarediva]

Yes, because you wouldn't have had to spend any of this time if it wasn't for your business.

wonderful, thank you so much!