Is there a reason I can't claim my child care expenses this year?

[Treeandme01]

This is first year ever it's saying I cant, I don't understand.

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

CHILD AND DEPENDENT CARE CREDIT

One of the most common mistakes that messes up the childcare credit for people is listing all of the earned income under only one name on a joint return.  Make very sure that your incomes are listed under each of your names.  It’s pretty easy to check.  Go to the Income section, and click “update” on Wages and Salary.  That will take you to the W-2 Summary.  Do you see income listed under both of your names? 

 A few other things—the childcare credit is not a refund.  It can reduce your taxes owed.  If you were self-employed, but showed a loss, you will not receive the credit. 

 The person receiving the care had to be 12 or under or qualified as mentally or physically disabled. To claim the childcare credit you need to be filing as Head of Household or Married Filing Jointly. (NOT married filing separately)

 If your child was born in 2017 make sure you say the child lived with you all year. The credit is a percentage of your expenses based on your AGI (the higher the income, the lower the percentage)  You must provide the Social Security number for each child you are claiming, and the Social Security number or Tax ID for each care provider.  You can claim a maximum of $6000 in expenses for 2 or more dependents.

*You can see the amount of the childcare credit you received on line 31 of your 1040A, or on line 49 of your 1040.

[Treeandme01]

I have been claiming this for 6 yr's with no issues, I am single mom head of household.

[xmasbaby0]

Double check the income you entered.

[Treeandme01]

I will look at that, thank you.

[carrie91179]

That is strange cause i was able to file my child care expenses. What did it tell you in that section?

[Treeandme01]

I wish I could show you the explanation, something about not having to pay taxes this year??

[carrie91179]

Huh? That so strange. Wonder why it's doing That? I got about $200 back from child care which is normally about what I get. I Also had something strange happen this year as well. I had 2 amounts deposited into my account. The one I was expecting and in a seperate transaction another amount for $500 more. I have no idea what it's from or why?

[Treeandme01]

That is weird, I'd be afraid to touch it.

[Monnie12]

Mine is doing the samethings  It makes me not want to use turbo tax this year. I have claimed daycare every other year,  so whats going on this year????