Question

Why is TurboTax saying I get a Child and Dependent Care Credit for 2023 childcare expenses paid in 2024? When I complete 2441 Worksheet A manually, I get no credit

Forum|Forum|1 year ago
April 6, 2025
1 reply
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I believe TurboTax has problems with the Child and Dependent Care Credit. I have qualified childcare expenses from 2023 that I paid in 2024. However, I believe I also maxed out my 2023 credit already. When I completed 2441 Worksheet A manually, I get the result that I can claim no additional care credit. TurboTax seemingly never checks this fact (even though it has that information about my previous year's return), and it happily suggests I can claim these as a tax credit. Does TurboTax fill out Worksheet A in the background? I would love to know what information it is using.

X

xmasbaby0

Why did you enter expenses you know were from 2023 into your 2024 tax return? That is your own user error. You should only enter the amount you paid for childcare that you received in 2024 on your 2024 tax return.

**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.**

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whydoineedtodothisAuthor

"Did you pay for any 2023 care in 2024?"
"We're asking about care received in one year (like a week of daycare in December), but paid for another year (as in January). (This is not common.)"

This is verbatim a question asked, which does apply to some people.

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xmasbaby0

Here's what the IRS says, in Publication 503, Child and Dependent Care Expenses, on page 10.

"Expenses prepaid in an earlier year. If you pay for services before they are provided, you can count the prepaid expenses only in the year the care is received. Claim the expenses for the later year as if they were actually paid in that later year."

**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.**