If one parent is a Stay-At-Home-Mom, would you enter part time child care expenses?

[leana_finney]

My children go to a Half Day Preschool 2 days a week.

[AnnS7]

No, you would not enter your part time child care expenses while there is a full time stay at home parent.

The Child and Dependent Care Credit is for expenses paid for the care of a qualifying individual to enable you (and your spouse, if filing a joint return) to work or actively look for work.

Unless the stay at home parent is actively seeking employment while your child is in preschool, the cost of sending a child to 1/2 day preschool twice a week would not be a qualifying expense for the credit.

For more information see IRS Tax Topics: Topic 602 - Child and Dependent Care Credit

[edavis5451]

It says "unless the stay at home parent is actively seeking employment...", but no where on the tax forms or the TurboTax software does it include the ability to state they were looking for work, but not employed.