Dependent care timing for claiming

[Craiger2]

We paid child care/day camp related expenses for my daughter and I want to claim for 2023.  The problem is to get the camp locked in, my wife paid in 2022 for the camp that happened in 2023.  Is that fine to still claim expenses for 2023 since the activity happened then, or the payment must also land in the same year as the activity (in this case 2023)?

[RobertB4444]

If you already claimed this expense in 2022 then this is all moot.  You can only claim it once.  If you didn't claim it in 2022 then go ahead and put it on the 2023 return.  Document the receipt and keep the paperwork handy showing that the activity occurred in 2023 and that you didn't deduct it in 2022.  That way you're prepared in case any questions come up.

@Craiger2