My child went to summer camp in 20016

 
Phillip1
New Member

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Without having a complete question, I am going to cover a couple of possible questions

Summer camp will not create an issue for claiming your child as a dependent. The camp would be considered a temporary absence for the residency test. You will consider the time spent at camp as time lived at home with you. See the following from IRS Publication 501:

Temporary absences. Your child is considered to have lived with you during periods of time when one of you, or both, are temporarily absent due to special circumstances such as:

  • Illness,

  • Education,

  • Business,

  • Vacation,

  • Military service, or

  • Detention in a juvenile facility.

You most likely cannot use the camp expenses for the child and dependent care credit. See the following from IRS Publication 503:

Camp .   The cost of sending your child to an overnight camp isn't considered a work-related expense.

The cost of sending your child to a day camp may be a work-related expense, even if the camp specializes in a particular activity, such as computers or soccer.