Childcare expenses

tambobutts · ‎June 5, 2019

I can't claim the child as a dependent but I pay for all the childcare. Can I claim the child care I pay?

MeganS · ‎June 5, 2019

Are you the custodial parent? If so, you can claim the expenses even if you are not claiming the child. If you are the non-custodial parent, you cannot claim child care expenses. You will just need to add the child's information and then select that the other parent is claiming them this year.

Make sure you entered the correct number of months your child lived with you. If you split it 50/50, but the child was with you one day longer than with the other parent, select 7 months (as opposed to 6). When you get to the dependent summary page, your child should be listed as a "EIC or Care Credit Only", as opposed to non-dependent. You should then be allowed to enter the child care expenses.

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MeganS · ‎June 5, 2019

Are you the custodial parent? If so, you can claim the expenses even if you are not claiming the child. If you are the non-custodial parent, you cannot claim child care expenses. You will just need to add the child's information and then select that the other parent is claiming them this year.

Make sure you entered the correct number of months your child lived with you. If you split it 50/50, but the child was with you one day longer than with the other parent, select 7 months (as opposed to 6). When you get to the dependent summary page, your child should be listed as a "EIC or Care Credit Only", as opposed to non-dependent. You should then be allowed to enter the child care expenses.