Child care expenses in tax retun

[Hasna91]

I am looking for work, that is why  I would like my son to attend daycare. Can I claim daycare expenses in the tax declaration, while I am looking for work, That means I do not have any income yet. My partner is working?

[Bsch4477]

Yes. See here to see if you qualify. 

https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/am-i-eligible-to-claim-the-child-and-dependent-care-credit

[Opus 17]

Yes and no.  Expenses are "qualified" for the child and dependent tax credit if you are working or looking for work.  However, the dollar amount of the credit is based on your income earned from working.  If you never find a job, you can't use the credit, even though your expenses are "qualified."

(You say "partner" so I assume you are not married.  This example would be slightly different if you were married.)  For example, you can count $250 of your child care as "qualified" for each month you are looking for work.  Suppose you get a job in October.  Your "qualified" expenses for the child care credit would be $250 for August, $250 for September, and your actual expenses for October-December.  However, the maximum credit will be based on the wages you earn, even if your wages are less than your qualified expenses. 

[xmasbaby0]

Actually, the child and dependent care credit is available to you if you were looking for work and actually found and started working at a job.   You will not get the credit if you only looked for a job but did not earn any income by working.   

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900643-what-is-the-child-and-dependent-care-credit

[Hasna91]

Thanks a lot for all the information you provided me. Actually, I am married and I am in Canada. So if I understand your point. I will just be qualified to receive a portion of the daycare expenses during the months I will be looking for work. Once I find a job then I will be qualify to receive the total amount of the daycare expenses. Thanks again.

[xmasbaby0]

CANADA  This is the U.S. TurboTax public user forum. For help with Canadian taxes, please post your question in the Canada TurboTax user forum., at the following link.

https://turbotax.community.intuit.ca/community/turbotax-support/help/03/en-cahttps://turbotax.intuit.ca/tax-software/index.jsp