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New Member
posted Mar 12, 2020 6:27:27 PM

How do I enter dependent care expense for child I am not claiming as a dependent

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2 Replies
Level 15
Mar 12, 2020 6:41:23 PM

Are you the custodial parent?  Do you have an agreement with the other parent to allow the other parent to claim them--due to divorce or that you live apart and share custody?  Did one of you sign a Form 8332?

 

If there is a signed 8332 then the custodial parent retains the right to file as Head of Household, get earned income credit and the

childcare credit

+ education credits if the child is a full-time college student.  The non-custodial parent gets the child tax credit for children under the age of 17.

 

As far as the IRS is concerned, the custodial parent is the one with whom the child spent the most nights during the tax year--at least 183 nights.

 

If you are a non-married couple who live together then only one of you can claim the child(ren) and the one not claiming the child does not enter anything at all on their tax return about the child. 

Expert Alumni
Mar 12, 2020 6:57:10 PM

If you can't claim your child as a dependent, he or she is treated as your qualifying person for this credit if:

  • The child either:
    • Was 12 or under or wasn't physically or mentally able to care for himself or herself
    • Received over half their support during 2019 from one or both parents, who are divorced under a decree of divorce, legally separated under a decree of separate maintenance or written separation agreement, or lived apart from July 1 through December 31 of 2019
       
  • You were the child's custodial parent. The custodial parent is the parent with whom the child lived for the greater number of nights in 2019. If the child was with each parent for an equal number of nights, generally the custodial parent is the parent with the higher adjusted gross income. The noncustodial parent can't treat the child as a qualifying person (and therefore, cannot claim this credit) even if that parent is entitled to claim the child as a dependent under the special rules for a child of divorced or separated parents. 

Here's how to enter this information:

 

1) When logged into TurboTax Online, click Deductions & Credits.

2) Click You and Your Family.

3) Click Review/Edit next to Child and Dependent Care Credit. 

 

@jencolman