Self-Assessing Taxes Online

Learn how to evaluate your taxes with the Tax Self-Assessment App.

Assessing your taxes can feel intimidating, but there are tools available to make the process easier. This online tool, which is geared specifically towards child care businesses, is something that can be completed with confidence and in a short amount of time. 

The Tax Self-Assessment App was developed to allow child care business owners to evaluate their own federal tax returns for consistency with best practices for their program type. The app provides child care businesses with a personalized review of their potential tax risks and opportunities summarized in a downloadable report that is easy for both you and your tax preparer to understand. This resource will help walk you through the process of using the Tax Self-Assessment App to simplify your tax preparation this coming tax season.  

The Tax Self-Assessment App

Getting Started

Here’s what you will need in order to begin:

  1. Your Schedule C of your Form 1040 from your latest completed tax return

  2. 15 minutes

You may also want to have the following forms handy: 

  • Form 4562 – Depreciation (if applicable) 

  • Form 8829 – If you are a Sole Proprietorship/Single Member LLC (for Business Use of the Home) 

  • Other expenses and revenue attachment (if applicable) 

What is a 1040 Schedule C? Let's take a look at what the Form 1040 Schedule C looks like:

Top half of a Schedule C (Form 1040), page 1

Using the App

Now that you have your forms together, you’re ready to begin! The app will ask you to confirm your business type before taking you through a series of questions based on your tax form.*

*This online tool does not retain or share any of the data you enter. All information provided is used for evaluation purposes only and deleted upon completion of the process.

Step 1: Visit the Confidence in Quality Tax Rubric App Site

The app can be accessed by clicking the link above or copying and pasting https://www.civstrat.com/tax-rubric-app into your laptop, desktop, phone, or tablet browser search bar.

Step 2: Answer the Questions that Appear on Each Page

Proceed through the site’s prompts by answering “Yes” or “No” questions. Answers to each question are dependent on if you have information entered in the relevant line.

Questions will be about: 

  • Income  

  • Commonly Missed Expenses  

  • Expenses 

  • Home Deductions  

  • Depreciation and Amortization 

Step 3: Tax Review Letter Information 

Enter your information in the provided submission box.  

Step 4: Hit Continue and Review Your Report 

That’s it, you’re done! Be sure to download your report before closing the page, as your information won’t be saved once the page is closed. 

This online tool does not retain or share any of your data or results. All information provided is used for evaluation purposes only and is deleted upon completion of the process. Your email address will only be used to send you a copy of your personalized report.

Disclaimer

The information contained here has been prepared by Civitas Strategies® and is not intended to constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. The Civitas Strategies® team has used reasonable efforts in collecting, preparing, and providing this information, but does not guarantee its accuracy, completeness, adequacy, or currency. The publication and distribution of this information are not intended to create, and receipt does not constitute, an attorney-client or any other advisory relationship. Reproduction of this information and recording of this content (including the use of AI) are expressly prohibited. Only noncommercial uses of this work are permitted.

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