Only the custodial parent can claim the Child and Dependent Care Credit, it cannot be split between you and your ex-wife.
If your daughter did not live with you more than 1/2 of the year (183) days, then you cannot claim the credit.
If your daughter did live with you more than 1/2 the year, then you are able to claim the credit even if you are not claiming her as a Dependent. If that is the case, you should follow these steps:
- Sign in to your TurboTax account and open your return
- Click on the Personal Info bar and then click Review/Edit
- Click on Add a Dependent and enter your daughter's information
- Walk through the interview questions. Here you will indicate that your daughter lived with you over half the year but you are NOT claiming her as a Dependent.
- Next, in the upper right corner of your screen, click on the magnifying glass and search "child care" and click the "jump to" link
- Here you can enter the child care expenses that you paid for your daughter. Note, you can only claim what you actually paid, you cannot include what your ex-wife paid.
For more information, please see this TurboTax Help Article: What is the Child and Dependent Care Credit?
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