Turbotax won't let me enter Child and Dependent Care Credit info. It gets caught in a loop sending me back to the beginning. Has anyone else experienced and resolved?

[digou182]

I was not aware of that. That is certainly good to know. Thank you for your help.

[chuck9896]

My wife and I both received Letter 6419 with the same amounts, but the software only let's me enter the amount for me.  I can't enter the amount set forth in her letter.  It remains "0", even though I am typing over it.

[DMarkM1]

As long as the total amount of advanced child tax credit is entered, your return will be correct.  First try signing out of the program and clearing your browser cache.  Here is a helpful link.   

Next, sign back in and revisit the "Advanced child tax credit" topic.  If it doesn't clear this time just put the total amount of both letters in one box.  Finish the topic interview and be sure to check the total box to verify it is correct.

[Goldie32]

So what about when you're married but filing seperate due to pending divorce? I don't have her W2's. How do I input the multiple thousands I've had to pay in childcare?

[VolvoGirl]

Sorry you can't deduct Child Care If you file Married filing Separate.  Unless you qualify to file as Head of Household.  If you are not divorced yet you could still file a Joint return.

[Goldie32]

Sounds like a headache will be coming soon dealing with her. I appreciate the advice. I'll look into what it takes for head of household.

[VolvoGirl]

Do you have any dependents or children? You can't check the HOH box until you have entered dependent info and ssn.

See IRS Pub 501 page 10 for qualifying person.

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p501.pdf

Who is a qualifying person for Head of Household

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/family/help/what-is-a-qualifying-person-for-head-of-household/00/2...

See FAQ on Head of Household

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/family/help/do-i-qualify-for-head-of-household/00/25539

[lizzij316]

I am having this same issue! I read through the comments, I have double checked and I have earned income listed under myself and my husband(when I see the list my name is listed next to mine and his name is listed next to his- he has two W2s), I have cleared my cache as suggested and nothing is working. What else am I able to do to solve this? We meet the eligibility requirements and this is our last step before being able to complete our tax returns. Our loop starts after we reach the page where we have to check if we were full time students or disabled or none of the above, when I click none of the above it loops me back around to beginning, but we have earned income so we should qualify. Help! 

[Goldie32]

Apparently you're not allowed to be married, file seperate and claim any expenses for child care. From what I've read, in the past people would double dip and each claim the expenses on their own filing. So they made it so you can't do that anymore. If you want to claim your child care expenses then you have to file as joint.

[xmasbaby0]

@lizzij316 You mentioned our returns-----If you are filing married filing separately you cannot get the child care credit.   Or if you are filing a joint return you have to show income from working from both spouses.   If one of you is self-employed and showed a loss you will not be able to get the childcare credit.

[lizzij316]

@xmasbaby0 In our case I have only earned income, my husband has earned income but also a side business that did show a loss, so does that mean we cannot claim it? even though he did have actual W2 earnings and the loss was on his side business? 

[xmasbaby0]

If you both show positive income it should be fine.  Make sure you enter the W-2's under the correct spouse's names.   You need to show income from each spouse.

[ibressan]

What if I have a W-2, but my self-employed husband only has a 1099-K via freelance work done via Square. His ride sharing income did not qualify for the 1099-MISC. Does that qualify for the dependent care deduction?

[Vanessa A]

Yes, self-employment counts for the Dependent Care Deduction.  When you get to the self-employment section, one of the first questions will be "Who did this work or owned this business"  be sure that you answer that it was your husband that did the work.  Also, when you get to the W-2 section, be sure that you answer that the W-2 belonged to you. This will tell the program and the IRS that you both had earned income.

The requirement is that you both have earned income.  It doesn't have to be reported on the 1099-Misc, the Schedule C where you will report his income, based on your records, is all you need for him.

[slingkong]

I just went through (again) the "who did the work" questions and all 1099s for my wife in her freelance business and, still, the dependent care deduction is stuck in this loop. She did all of the work, and is properly identified as such. All 1099s are in her name and identified as such. And still...