On the Virginia return how do I decide how to allocate my child and dependent care expenses between spouses?

[DS30 · Accepted solution]

Usually, expenses related to child and dependent care are allocated between spouses based on which spouse paid what amount of the total expenses. So if one spouse pays 60% of the expenses then that spouse will claim 60% of the deduction on your VA separately filed state income tax return.

However, if the amounts are paid jointly or if one spouse does not want to claim his or her proportionate share of the expenses actually paid, then as long as both spouse agree on the allocation, you can choose how you want to allocate the deduction (even if one spouse takes the full amount of the deduction and the other spouse takes none of the deduction). Just make sure that the total amount of the deduction being claimed by both spouses equals the amount being claimed on the federal income tax return.

[sproksch]

Thank you very much!

[DS30]

You are very welcome 🙂