Can I claim the dependent credit for daycare even if my kid only went for me to work about 15-20% of the year .. and other times just for social interaction ?

My child attended daycare mostly for social interaction and for me to have time to myself. I work nights so daycare mostly had no effect on my work. At times I’d work an earlier shift or out of state and my kid would attend daycare also. Is it ethical to claim the FULL amount I paid the daycare despite not needing them solely for work ?

190

Employee Tax Expert

Mar 23, 2022 7:37:42 AM

No. The deductible amount of the Child and Dependent Care Credit is the amount of a dependent's care paid so that you could work or look for work. The time you paid for daycare for social interaction or for time to yourself is not deductible. You can only deduct the amount of daycare needed when you worked an earlier shift or out of state.

For more information, please see What is the Child and Dependent Care Credit?

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Can I claim the dependent credit for daycare even if my kid only went for me to work about 15-20% of the year .. and other times just for social interaction ?