Why am I not able to select my son’s name in the drop-down menu for childcare expenses, when he is already listed in my household?

[mlarkins25]

His dad is claiming him as a dependent this year but the details say I can still exempt daycare expenses since I am the custodial parent and fit the requirements. It says if there is no one to choose to “add a person” but he’s already listed in my profile.

[xmasbaby0]

Are you the custodial parent?  Do you have an agreement with the other parent to allow the other parent to claim them--due to divorce or that you live apart and share custody?  Did one of you sign a Form 8332?

If there is a signed 8332 then the custodial parent retains the right to file as Head of Household, get earned income credit and the childcare credit.  The non-custodial parent gets the child tax credit for children under the age of 17.

As far as the IRS is concerned, the custodial parent is the one with whom the child spent the most nights during the tax year--at least 183 nights.