I am not able to enter my after-school program costs for my 10 yo in turbo tax.

[markusd13]

I use the program so that I can work.

I've entered all my W2/income data.

I am a single parent, claiming HoH.

Questions:

Did you pay for dependant care in 2025?  Yes.

Did you pay for any 2024 care in 2025?  No.

Do you have a credit to enter for payments made in 2025 for prior year expenses?  No.

Outcome:

It looks like you don't qualify for the credit

None of the people on your return qualify this year.

You didn't enter any expenses for your dependents who received care. We can't calculate the credit without this.

None of the people qualify?  I entered my 10 yo, and it gave me the 2200 child tax credit, so...?

There was no place TO enter expenses, that is exactly what I am trying to do?!

[RogerD1]

A reason that you may not qualify for the credit is because you no longer have a tax liability after other credits are being applied.  But just to be sure, follow these steps:

1. You should have received a document from the provider that gives their name, address, phone number, Employer Identification Number as well as the amount of money you paid for the dependent care.  You'll need this information to complete this section.
2. Go to Deductions and Credits, then click Add/Edit for Dependent Care Credit
3. Click the pencil icon by the name of your dependent.
4. The next screen will allow you to enter the amount paid for your 10 year old's care.
5. Click through screens to get to "Your expenses for care providers" and click + Add provider.  This is where you will enter the information of your provider.

Once you do that, TurboTax will let you know the amount of the credit, if you qualify.  If you don't qualify, it would be because your tax liability was already at $0 after other credits had been applied.  Some credits can be refunded to you without having a tax liability, but the dependent care credit is not one of those types of credits.