@Skylark222 wrote:
This is really helpful. Just curious for the parents, how can we claim childcare expenses with just the receipt if e.g., a private art teacher does summer camp.
The technical answer is that you must make diligent efforts to collect the tax ID number of the provider. You give them a form w-10, and document their refusal to provide the tax ID number, possibly by a letter or text messages. Then, when you file your tax return, you write "refused" in the box on form 2441 where the tax number is supposed to be. You file your return by mail (you can't e-file) and attach a written explanation that includes the care provider's name, address, phone number, any other identifying information, and includes a description of your diligent efforts to get the tax number. The IRS will evaluate the claim on a case-by-case basis.
Here, of course, piano lessons, soccer lessons, and so on, do not count as child care for the child care credit.
