Child care deduction for camps during school break

[Jbraud1693]

My daughter has attended Monday - Friday full day camps during her spring, summer & fall breaks, as both me & my wife work.  I read somewhere that the cost of these camps ($168/week X 3 weeks = $504 total) would be deductible on Form 2441, Child and Dependent Care Expenses.  These camps were run by the city we live in (City of Chandler Arizona), and I have receipts from these camps.  I currently don't have their EIN number, would I need to get this?  Thank you for your assistance.

[xmasbaby0]

Yes, you will need a tax ID or EIN in order to use the child and dependent care credit on your next tax return.   You must be able to show earned income from both parents if you are filing a joint return.   If one of you is self-employed and shows a loss, you will lose the credit.

[Jbraud1693]

I was able to find the EIN number online and both me & my wife have W2 earned income.  So I will be able to use this deduction on my 2023 return.  Thank you!

[BettieG]

In addition to what xmasbaby0 mentioned, what you're referring to here is the Child Care Credit, which is a credit (rather than a deduction), and is available for expenses paid for camp for a child under 19 on the last day of the year, among other criteria.   Please take a look at these articles for all of the requirements:

• What is the Child and Dependent Care Credit?
• The Ins and Outs of the Child and Dependent Care Credit

Assuming you otherwise qualify, the credit is worth up to 35% of your camp expenses (up to $3,000 for one child), depending upon the amount of your Adjusted Gross Income.

I hope this helps!

[xmasbaby0]

Side note----unless the child is disabled---the cutoff age for the childcare care credit is 12--not 19.