Deducting daycare expense

[JohnnyL]

My wife works and i have not this year.  Will we not be able to deduct this on next years return?

[DoninGA]

If you do not have earned income in 2019 then you cannot claim any Child or Dependent Care expenses and credits on your joint tax return.  And filing separately you still will not be able to claim the expenses or credit if you lived with your spouse at any time during the last six months of the year.

[JohnnyL]

Ok, cool.  This is joint return.  So if I did have an earned income, we would only be able to deduct 20% of the daycare cost anyway?  The baby has only been in daycare this year for like 3 months.  20% only abt 600$.  

I am currently seeking employment, and mgiht possibly have a 1099misc for this year (would be very little), so not sure if its worth getting crappy job for a few weeks just to show an income.