topic Unable to add Child and Dependent Care Credit in Deductions & credits

Unable to add Child and Dependent Care Credit

aplace14 — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 06:16:59 GMT

I receive the message "It turns out you don't qualify for this credit" after filling in info for the Child and Dependent Care Credit.

I know we qualify. We have child care expenses, both wife and I have W-2s, we do not have a FSA. I prepaid so I could see the Federal return preview and it didn't include Form 2441.

Re: Unable to add Child and Dependent Care Credit

xmasbaby0 — Thu, 10 Feb 2022 02:17:29 GMT

Make sure you have entered your child as a dependent in My Info, and that you have entered the child's Social Security number. If your child was born in 2021make sure you said he lived with you the whole year. There is an oddly worded question that asks if the child paid over half their own support. Say NO to that question.

Re: Unable to add Child and Dependent Care Credit

aplace14 — Thu, 10 Feb 2022 03:32:09 GMT

Thank you for the response. Our kids are properly entered as dependents. All necessary info (socials etc.) have been inputted. Question about child support answered correctly. I am flummoxed!

Re: Unable to add Child and Dependent Care Credit

xmasbaby0 — Thu, 10 Feb 2022 05:28:09 GMT

Check to make sure the W-2 's were entered under each name. If you put them all under only one spouse's name that will mess up the credit for you. And even though you think you entered the dependents correctly, sometimes just deleting them and re-entering their information helps.

Re: Unable to add Child and Dependent Care Credit

ffinver — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 21:53:51 GMT

My husband's W2 info. is entered and I am a business owner. 2 children are entered with soc. sec. numbers and dates of birth. Turbotax will not allow me to enter my child care expenses. This is causing me distress.

Re: Unable to add Child and Dependent Care Credit

VolvoGirl — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 21:57:02 GMT

Make sure you are each showing income. Check each W2, should be assigned to the right spouse. If you have self employment income you need to have a profit to qualify. Are you filing a Schedule C for your business? Make sure it's for the right spouse. Have you entered all your income yet?

Re: Unable to add Child and Dependent Care Credit

xmasbaby0 — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 21:58:49 GMT

@ffinver If one of you is self-employed but showed a loss you will not be eligible for the childcare credit. Did your business show a loss? Have you entered your self-employment income? Until you enter income from both spouses on a joint return you will not be able to use the childcare credit.

Re: Unable to add Child and Dependent Care Credit

ffinver — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 11:35:51 GMT

Thank you to both of you. This explains the situation exactly.