Does paying a babysitter count towards a deduction?

[chasefam2414]

I paid a babysitter for my child care this year. Does that count as a deduction?

[Texas Roger · Accepted solution]

Was the child under age 13? Did you pay the sitter so that you could work or go to school? If married, did your spouse also work? If you meet these requirements, you can claim up to $3000 of child care expenses per child with a maximum of 2 children for a credit on your tax return. The credit is 20% to 35% of your expenses depending on your income with a limit of $3000 of expenses per child. You need the name and social security number or EIN of the child care provider and the total amount paid. 

This credit is non refundable meaning you must have taxable income and a tax liability to offset it in order to get it.