How you paid your nanny (cash, check etc. ) is irrelevant. But you need to have her Social Security number or Tax ID in order to claim the childcare credit. The nanny is supposed to report her income to the IRS. What she reports to the IRS needs to match what you claim that you paid her. Did you establish an agreement or understanding with the nanny before you began having her take care of your children? Does she know you will claim the childcare credit? The law is the law---but surprising her with the news that you are putting this on your tax return would not be very nice. And....was the childcare provided in your home or in her home? If she came to your home she may be considered to be a household employee and you may have to issue a W-2 to her and pay the employer portion of Social Security and Medicare.
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-topics/help/who-is-considered-a-household-employee/00/26770
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/forms/help/do-i-need-to-file-irs-schedule-h/00/25742
As for the private schools your children attended:
EDUCATION EXPENSES
Education expenses for grades K-12 are not deductible on your Federal return, whether for private, public, or home schooling, nor are the expenses for tutoring, after school lessons or after school activities, such as dance lessons, sports, etc. Some states allow deductions/credits for K-12 education and/or home schooling expenses; if your state has these deductions available, you will be prompted to enter them when you prepare your state return. (As far as I know, the states that offer any sort of K-12 deductions/credits are Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,Louisiana, Minnesota, and Wisconsin)
**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**
