I pay a sitter cash. I don’t have her ss number and I’m pretty sure she doesn’t have an EIN. Can I claim this?

Yes - But you must try your best to get your sitter's SSN.

If you don't have the number handy, you must try your best to get it from your care provider and enter it on your return. If you can't get the number, you may not be able to receive the credit, and you will also not be able to e-file. (You can still print and mail the return without the EIN or SSN as long as you tried your best to get the number).


If you still can't get the number, you must print and mail your return and follow these instructions:

• In TurboTax, you can enter "See Page 2" in the boxes where we ask for the care provider's name, address and SSN/EIN.
  

• If you don't do this in TurboTax, you can do it after you print your return to mail; find the Child and Dependent Care Credit form (Form 2441) and write "See Page 2" in the boxes for name, address and SSN/EIN.
  

• After printing your return, on the bottom of page 2 of Form 2441, note that you tried your best to get the information but the care provider did not provide it

• Obtain one of the following and keep it with your copy of your tax return:

• A Form W-10 completed by the care provider
• A copy of the provider's Social Security card; or a driver's license that has the Social Security number printed on it
• A recently printed document or invoice that shows the provider's name, address, and EIN
• A copy of your employer's dependent care plan describing your arrangement, if the provider is your employer
• A properly completed Form W-4, Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate, if the provider is your household employee.