How to Catch Up If You’re Behind on Bookkeeping or Taxes

A Simple Plan for AFH Owners Who Feel Overwhelmed

If you’re an Adult Family Home (AFH) owner who’s behind on bookkeeping, let me start by saying: you are not alone — and it’s not too late to get back on track.

Between caring for residents, managing caregivers, and staying compliant with state requirements, your financials often take the back seat.But ignoring your books can lead to missed deductions, inaccurate financials, and confusion when it’s time to plan or file taxes.

Let’s walk through a simple, step-by-step plan to help you catch up quickly and confidently — without feeling overwhelmed.

Step 1: Know What You’re Behind On

Start by identifying what’s actually overdue. Ask yourself:

• Are your books current through last month — or missing several months?

• Do your bank and credit card balances reconcile?

• Have you separated personal and business expenses?

Once you know exactly what’s missing, you can create a plan to bring everything current — one month at a time.

Step 2: Gather Your Financial Documents

Before touching spreadsheets or software, start by gathering your source records.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Bank statements (business and personal if they’re mixed)

• Credit card statements

• Receipts (physical or digital)

• Resident payment logs or invoices

• Payroll summaries (if applicable)

Even if things feel unorganized, start with what you have — we can fill in the gaps later.

💡 Tip: If you’ve been using your personal bank account for both business and home expenses, highlight anything that clearly relates to the AFH so it can be properly categorized.

Step 3: Catch Up One Month at a Time

Trying to fix an entire year of bookkeeping in one weekend? That’s a recipe for burnout.Instead, start with the most recent month and work backward.

Here’s the process I use with clients:

1. Record income and match it to deposits.

2. Categorize and label all expenses (care supplies, payroll, home maintenance, etc.).

3. Reconcile the account balance to your bank statement.

You can do this in a spreadsheet, QuickBooks, or — if you prefer — simply hand over your statements and I’ll prepare the reports for you.

💡 Pro Tip: Most banks allow you to download transactions directly into QuickBooks, which speeds up the process tremendously.

Step 4: Set Up a System So You Don’t Fall Behind Again

Once your bookkeeping is caught up, let’s keep it that way. A simple routine goes a long way:

• Reconcile your books every month.

• Use a business-only bank account to separate personal and business spending.

• Review your income and expenses monthly or quarterly.

• Keep digital copies of receipts and statements in one shared folder.

• Schedule an annual bookkeeping review with your accountant to stay organized and compliant.

Even 15 minutes a week of attention can prevent hours of stress later.

Work With an AFH Bookkeeping & Tax Pro Who Makes It Easy

If your bookkeeping has fallen behind, I can help you catch up — quickly and without judgment.

I offer an annual bookkeeping review and tax filing package at one affordable price.

Here’s how it works:

1. You provide the documents.

2. I take care of the rest.

3. Once your books are organized, we’ll review your financial reports together so you understand exactly where your business stands.

✅ Work with a tax professional who responds promptly, explains everything clearly, and reviews your numbers with you before filing.

Final Thought: Progress Beats Perfection

You don’t need perfect records — you just need to start.Catching up on your bookkeeping gives you clarity, control, and confidence in your AFH’s financial health.

Clean books help you:

• Make informed business decisions.

• Qualify for loans or refinancing.

• Prepare for a smooth tax season with no surprises.

📅 Schedule your free 15-minute consultation by calling 564.888.1687.

Let’s get your AFH books caught up — one month, one form, one step at a time.