Childcare provider questions

You have self-employment income.  And....you are required to pay self-employment tax for Social Security and Medicare, and perhaps some ordinary income tax.   You also need to prepare a Schedule C for your business expenses.   Are you spending money on food and snacks for the children?  Toys, games, craft materials, etc. etc.?  

Get a Tax ID  (EIN)  so that you will not need to give out your SSN to the clients whose children you cared for.  They are going want to enter the amount they paid you on their own tax returns if they were working so that they can get the childcare credit.  The amount of income you claim to have received is going to have to match the total those people report to the IRS.

https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/how-to-apply-for-an-ein

If you have self-employment income for which you will pay self-employment tax for Social Security and Medicare,  you will need to use online Premium software or any version of the desktop software download so that you can prepare a Schedule C for your business expenses.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/self-employed/help/how-do-i-report-income-from-self-employment/00/26653

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/self-employed/help/what-is-the-self-employment-tax/00/25922

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/small-business-taxes/the-home-office-deduction/L1RZyYxzv

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/self-employment-taxes/self-employed-expenses-deduct/L37ZS1B8T_US_en_US?uid=m6fntpg7

If you live in a state with a state income tax, you might need to make estimated payments to your state.

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/calculators/self-employed/

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/business-taxes/discussion/self-employed-don-t-miss-these-tax-moves/00/3400413

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/import-export-data-files/enter-schedule-c/L5Fz3j5us_US_en_US?uid=m6a6gknk

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/payroll-additions-deductions/qualify-qualified-business-income-deduction/L0rM2cIIQ_US_en_US?uid=m5zpoxad

You have a small business and it's a child care business.  Depending on the state that you are in licensing requirements can be a lot.  You need to find out what the license requirements are for your state.

You are going to need to issue statements to the parents of all of the kids that you watch in order for them to take a deduction for child care for paying you.  That's what the EIN is for.  They need that number for the deduction.  The statement needs the name of your business, the address, the EIN and the total amount paid for each child for the year.  Your social security number will work for this but like you said that can lead to problems.

To enter this on your taxes you'll scroll down in the 'Wages and Income' section until you get to 'Business Items'.  Click on 'start' next to 'Business Income and Expenses' (the first one).  The system will ask you questions about your business and you will answer each one carefully.  

@Jane4619