Should I be entering day care expenses for each dependent and then also submitting the total cost of the daycare expense on the next step?

[alexbrees]

While entering the information for the Dependent Care Credit, the first step is to submit the expenses per dependent.  The second step is to then submit the total amount paid to the daycare provider.  Am I supposed to submit the expense on both of these steps?  Or only one of the 2 steps?  It feels like I am entering duplicate information.

[TeresaM · Accepted solution]

Yes, you will enter the total amount for each qualified dependent in the 1st section and then the total amount for each care provider in the next section. TurboTax will make sure there is no double-dipping. Sometimes there are multiple providers or a provider may be watching a qualified dependent and also another dependent. The details on the two sections will give TurboTax the information to calculate the credit correctly.

For more information about the credit please see this TurboTax article Dependent Care Credit