Can I put myself as a provider for a dependent? Does social security count as a provider?

[cgkriebel]

When I put my dependent, it asks for other providers, I put myself but it says providers can't have the same ssn as the primary tax payers. So should I just put myself and hope for the best, or should I put that my dependent had social security as a provider?

[KarenL2 · Accepted solution]

No, neither you nor social security is the provider.  A "provider" would be a childcare (or similar) facility or someone else who works in your home to provide the dependent care services.  The purpose of that question is to get a credit for expenses you pay to others to care for the dependent while you work.  You cannot claim a credit for income you receive.