Child and dependent care expenses can i count as childcare what we pay a tuition for a five year old

[xmasbaby0]

Did you pay for childcare so you could work?  Or are you referring to private school tuition for a kindergartner?

[goodday]

i wanted to know if private school tuition can be included in childcare expenses if the child is of qualifying age thanks

[Lisa995]

Private school tuition is not child care.

[akruz]

private school tuition is not child care expenses therefore cannot be deducted.  Once a child reaches school age the theory is that public school is free and if a parent chooses private school they do not get to write off that expense because it is a choice.  There is no free schools for infants and toddlers and pre schoolers.   This is why the govt lets parents write off these expenses because parents need to work to pay bills.    

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

Education expenses for grades K-12 are not deductible on your Federal return, whether for private, public, or home schooling, nor are the expenses for tutoring, after school lessons or after school activities, such as dance lessons, sports, etc.  Some states allow deductions/credits for K-12 education and/or home schooling expenses; if your state has these deductions available, you will be prompted to enter them when you prepare your state return.  (As far as I know, the states that offer any sort of K-12 deductions/credits are Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,Louisiana, Minnesota, and Wisconsin)