Trying to complete the dependent care credit portion as a custodial parent not claiming my dependent this year. The form will not allow me to select the child. Any help?

[AmyC]

It takes a little tricking of the program. Mark the child as your dependent, fill out the dependent care, then change your child back to nondependent and the program will give you the child care.

[jeffbaldino]

Good idea. Just tried it and nothing changed?

[AmyC]

Did it give you the dependent care credit while marked as a dependent? I wonder if you don't qualify due to tax liability or if something else is happening. The credit only reduces your tax liability to zero. It isn't refundable. If you have no liability, you will not have a credit.

[jeffbaldino]

While still with the dependent claim as yes, its shows for "child and other dependent tax credits in the amount of $2000. Dependent care credit is 0 same as it was in 2022 when I could claim dependent. Perhaps it is something with a threshold as you suggest. 

[AmyC]

The child dependent credit, you would not get since not your dependent but if the child care is zero either way, there is more to this story.

Look at your 1040 line 16 tax. It is reduced by line 19 child care so that line 24 is closer to zero than line 16. You may not qualify.

References:

Child and Dependent Care Credit FAQs

Topic No. 602 Child and Dependent Care Credit

[jeffbaldino]

Thank you -Just saw this as well

TurboTax Tip: If your employer provides a flexible spending account or similar account to pay for childcare with "pre-tax" dollars, your tax savings may be greater than the amount you get with the credit.

Pre tax is $3500 and the max I can claim is $3000. Looks like it will be zero

[AmyC]

Yes, the FSA knocks it out. I am so glad there is a resolution. 

[jeffbaldino]

Thank you for your help with this!