Child and dependent care expenses

[Juan04]

My girlfriend was pissed at me because we both paid half of the daycare expense but she did her taxes and got rejected because I had already claimed that credit. Why is it that she can't get her due dependent care credit if she paid for half of the care cost?

[Hal_Al]

Because only one of you is allowed to claim that; or anything else.

If you and the other parent live together, only one of you can claim the child for any tax benefit. The interview is confusing (it's designed for divorced parents). The second parent should not enter the child, at all.

 If you and the other parent live together, either one of you (but not both) may claim the child. You may decide between you which one will claim the child. Only if you can’t agree, do the IRS tie breaker rules apply, to see who has first choice. It may be worthwhile to prepare trial returns, both ways,  to see which way the family comes out best. This tool may be useful: https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/calculators/taxcaster/?s=1.

[Juan04]

Thank you Hal_Al