Prior year Child and Dependent Care Expenses

[Ashhley323]

When filing for my 2022 taxes, it shows that my Child and Dependent Care Expenses credit is $1,200.00 and is calculated because my prior year of expenses paid was $0. But that is incorrect, I've paid for daycare expenses every year for 5 years,  and have always entered them in on my tax return when filing. When I look at my prior year, 2021 return, I  can see the amount I paid on my return, Form 2441. 

[CatinaT1]

Can you tell us where you are seeing this? Your prior year doesn't affect your current year in regard to this credit.

[Ashhley323]

@CatinaT1 In the deductions and credits section. It asks to review the current year, where it lists prior and current in columns for comparison. The 2021 column shows no amount listed. When I enter the info for 2022, it tells me the amount of the credit is $1,200.00 and when I click how this amount is calculated, it says it combines the prior year amount you paid of $0 and this years credit of $1,200 to get the total. 

[MarilynG1]

If you are seeing $0 for 2021 for Child Care Credit  on the display screen, but you have verified that you received a Child Care Credit in 2021, this is a definitely a display issue, but does not affect your return.

Check your 2022 Form 2441 to be sure you received a credit for 2022.  As @CatinaT1 said, the 2021 credit has nothing to do with the credit you receive for 2022.  Each year's credit is calculated separately. 

Here's more info on the Child Care Credit. 

@Ashhley323 

[Ashhley323]

@MarilynG1 I'm seeing $0 paid under the Dependent Care Credit for 2021. My form 2241 does show an amount on line 10. I just want to make sure it doesn't look like I did not pay for child care in 2021 and did not receive a credit for it expenses paid

[Ashhley323]

@MarilynG1 Line 11 is blank on form 2441, and shows on my Schedule 3 that the amount shown on form 2441 is also blank. Only line 10 has an amount

[MarilynG1]

Do you have an amount on Line 9C on Form 2441?  If not, you may not qualify for the Dependent Care Credit.  If married, have you reported earned income for both you and your spouse?

Here's more info on How Dependent Care Credit is Calculated.

@Ashhley323