Is there a way to claim my childrens and childcare costs without providing their ssn?

[kostiguy16]

My 1 year old does not have a social security card yet. I filed for it MONTHS ago but it never came in. Im stationed overseas so it is taking a long time to get it sorted. Now the deadline is a few days away and im stuck. Is there a way to file without it? And still claim my childcare expenses? My eldest I have a ssn for, its just one of my children.

[BlueHighwayman]

The IRS says "Yes." Follow this link: Child and Dependent Care Credit & Flexible Benefit Plans 3 | Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov)

[DaveF1006]

Yes, you need a SSN to claim your child as a dependent and to claim a dependent care credit for them. This is in accordance with the Social Security and IRS requirements. 

@kostiguy16

[kostiguy16]

Are there any exceptions for active duty military who have children overseas? Because of covid its made it extremely hard to file for ssn for newborns. And its going to be impossible for them to resend the card that must have got lost in the mail in time for me to file. 

[LeonardS]

No, there are no exceptions.  If you have not received your child's SSN after applying and are outside the US you may contact the Social Security Departments Office Of Earnings & International Operations at this lInk https://Office Of Earnings & International Operations to find the contact information for the country you are living in.

[xmasbaby0]

Another thing you can do is get an extension for filing your 2021 tax return that will give you until mid-October to file.   If you expect to have tax due you need to pay by April 18, but you can wait to file your return when you get the SSN.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/extensions/help/how-do-i-file-an-irs-extension-form-4868-in-turbot...