ToddL99
Expert Alumni

Deductions & credits

Yes, you can claim the Child Care Credit based on the $3000 you spent.

 

To qualify for this credit, you must meet all of these criteria:

  • You (and your spouse, if filing jointly) must have earned income.
    • The earned income requirement for one spouse is waived if s/he was a full-time student or disabled (if they lived with your spouse for more than 6 months in 2020).
  • You paid caregiving expenses so that you (and your spouse, if filing jointly) could work or look for work.
    • The work/look for work requirement for one spouse is waived if s/he was a full-time student or disabled (if they lived with the other spouse for more than 6 months in 2020).
  • You paid a caregiver to care for a Qualifying Person. The caregiver can't be:
    • Your spouse
    • Your dependent
    • Your child if they were under 19 on the last day of 2020, even if not your dependent
    • The parent of the Qualifying Person, if the Qualifying Person is your child under the age of 13 during 2020
  • You can't file with the Married Filing Separately filing status (except under certain circumstances).
  • You must furnish the care provider's name, address, and (unless it's a tax-exempt organization) their SSN, ITIN, or EIN on your return.

The credit is worth anywhere from 20% to 35% of your qualified expenses, up to $3,000 (for one qualifying person) and $6,000 (for two or more qualifying persons). Your percentage depends on your AGI, with the higher percentages applying to lower incomes and vice-versa.

TurboTax will determine your eligibility and calculate the maximum credit allowed.