Unfortunately, there's no deduction for k-12 education or special needs, in general. However, there are two other areas that you might qualify for depending on the additional specifics of your situation; the Child & Dependent Care Credit and Medical Expenses (Itemized Deduction). The software asks all of the applicable questions to determine if you qualify. Click the blue hyperlink on every screen that contains more info.
The Child & Dependent Care Credit. While the 'Qualifying individual' for this credit is typically a child under 13 years old, the credit rules are expanded when your child is physically or mentally unable to care for themselves. In this situation they can be any age, so long as you are paying for the care so that you're able to work. To enter:
- Login and click 'Take me to
my return'
- Then click 'Federal
Taxes' tab and
select the 'Deductions & Credits' tab. (If you aren't taken directly
to the listing of all expenses, you'll have the option to click, 'I'll choose what I work on')
- Scroll down to 'You and
Your Family' and
click 'Show more'
- Click 'Start' next to 'Child and
Dependent Care Credit'
The Medical Expense deduction is heavily limited (total expenses limited by 10% of Adjusted Gross Income - AGI a subtotal on your tax return) and only affects your return as an itemized deduction. However, if your child has a prescription for the needed expenses then they may qualify for this deduction. The software will do the calculation for you and tell you the amount needed for it to be worth you entering, before you start to enter.
- Login and click 'Take me to my return'
- Then click 'Federal Taxes' tab and select the 'Deductions & Credits' tab.
- If you see medical expenses listed on this summary screen you can click 'Edit' or 'Review' to the right of them. If you do not see medical expenses listed here, click the 'See all tax breaks' button on the bottom left of the screen.
- Scroll down and click 'Show more' to the right of Medical
- Click 'Start' next to 'Medical Expenses' line. The software will ask you about all of your medical costs.
