I am a Disabled Vet But my wife works. We are filing jointly. It's not allowing me to the Dependent Care credit because I dont have earned income. what is going on?

[CherylW · Accepted solution]

This, from the instructions from Form 2441: 

For each month or part of a month your spouse was a student or was disabled, he or she is considered to have worked and earned income. His or her earned income for each month is considered to be at least $250 ($500 if more than one qualifying person was cared for in 2016). Enter that amount on line 5. If your spouse also worked during that month, use the higher of $250 (or $500) or his or her actual earned income for that month. For any month that your spouse wasn't a student or disabled, use your spouse's actual earned income if he or she worked during the month.  

To enter it in Turbo Tax: 

1. Go to Deductions & Credits. 

2. Go down to You and Your Family. 

3. Select Start or Update by Child and Dependent Care Credit. 

4. On the screen that asks Do any of the following apply to ...?, answer Was incapable of self-care. 

5. Step through the next screens till you get back to the beginning. 

To see if you got the credit,  

1. Go to My Account. 

2. Go to Tools. 

3. Go to View Tax Summary. 

4. Go to Preview my 1040.