Child Care Credit

[cwingett]

Do I file the child care credit If I paid my son to watch my daughter after school?

[xmasbaby0]

You cannot use the child care credit if the childcare provider you paid is a dependent on your own tax return.

[cwingett]

He is not a dependent on my taxes.

[xmasbaby0]

If your son is not being claimed as a dependent on your tax return then you can treat him as your paid childcare provider and claim the childcare credit.   You will need to enter his SSN or his Tax ID---and he will have to file a tax return that reports his self-employment income as a childcare provider.

[SweetieJean]

 However, you also cannot claim these payments for this type of provider:

1. A person for whom you (or your spouse if filing jointly) can claim as a dependent;

2. Your child who was under age 19 at the end of the year, even if he or she isn't your dependent.