Childcare double dipping or bug?

Forum|Forum|3 months ago
March 28, 2026
1 reply
162 views

I'm filing my taxes, we are W2 employees and our employer offers DCAP (aka childcare flexible account). I contributed $5000 (of which I left $45.54 unused) to the DCAP and had $7349.56 eligible expenses. Before getting to the childcare deductions, my refund was at $718, then when declaring $7349.56 in childcare expenses, my refund jumped to $1907. Turbotax is recording a $209 extra refund for concept of childcare credit, but the refund jumps $1189.

My concern is that it's counting the full $7349 as deductible (or at least the $6000 max for two dependents) and it's double dipping the $4954.46 that I already claimed against my DCAP in my W2. However, turbotax does reflect $209 as a childcare refund which is the correct number $6000 - $4954.46 = $1045.54 x 20%= $209.11.

I re-entered our W2 twice, re-entered childcare expenses several times, tried different browser, clear cookies, everything. Claude, Gemini and Chatgpt say it's a bug and I must call turbotax.

How can I double check the math is right?

If it's a actual bug, how do I get a hold on turbotax customer service?

Thank you in advance.

MarilynG

Level 15

You can check the calculations for a Child Care Credit on Form 2441, Line 11. This amount should also appear on Schedule 3, Line 2. If these forms show the correct amount, the Refund Meter increase is not directly related to your child care entry (as is often the case). If it increased/decreased, it may not be due to the entry you just made. Looking at the forms is your best bet.

If you're using TurboTax Online, once you pay for your return, you can save a PDF copy of your return (with all forms and worksheets) to view all your forms before filing.

@User2698470

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