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April 15, 2025
Question

can't enter child dependent care credit

  • April 15, 2025
  • 2 replies
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there only have 3 options allow to pick up and can not enter credits if select none of above.  my wife and myself both work in 2024

2 replies

April 15, 2025

You will not get the childcare credit until (unless) you enter income earned from working.   The credit does not work unless you enter your income first.   If you are filing a joint return you must show income for both spouses, or show that one or both of you was a student or disabled.   If you have self-employment income and show a loss you will not get the childcare credit.  You will not get the credit if you are filing married filing separately.  

 

If you have entered all of your income and you have entered your dependent(s) then work on the childcare credit by entering the Tax ID or Social Security number of your childcare provider and enter the amount you paid for the childcare.

 

One of the most common mistakes that messes up the childcare credit for people is listing all of the earned income under only one name on a joint return.  Make very sure that your incomes are listed under each of your names.  It’s pretty easy to check.  Go to the Income section, and click “update” on Wages and Salary.  That will take you to the W-2 Summary.  Do you see income listed under both of your names? 

 

 

 The person receiving the care had to be 12 or under or qualified as mentally or physically disabled. To claim the childcare credit you need to be filing as Head of Household or Married Filing Jointly. (NOT married filing separately)

 

 If your child was born in 2024 make sure you say the child lived with you all year. The credit is a percentage of your expenses based on your AGI (the higher the income, the lower the percentage)  You must provide the Social Security number for each child you are claiming, and the Social Security number or Tax ID for each care provider. 

 

In the case of divorced or never-married parents—only the custodial parent can use the childcare credit.

 

 

And remember that the childcare credit is a NON-refundable credit.  It can reduce your tax owed down to zero, but it is not added to your refund.

 

 

 

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/taxation/child-dependent-care-credit/L8h8A5Klg_US_en_US?uid=m5yifys1

 

 

 

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**
April 15, 2025

Have you entered the income for both of you?  If one of you does not yet have any income entered into the program will think that one of you doesn't work and you won't be eligible for the dependent care credit unless the one with no income is a full time student, or disabled.  

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actuozcAuthor
April 15, 2025

thanks. my wife is self-employed by her own LLC and is she also qualified? 

actuozcAuthor
April 15, 2025

i already entered income for both me and my wife, but still same, only have three option 1)was a full-time student 2) was disabled 3) none of the above