How to Claim Dependent Care Expenses on Taxes

The costs of caring for a loved one who is dependent on you or providing child care for your children, if tracked properly, can be used to lower your gross income and lower your taxes. There are rules and guidelines that must be followed in order to claim these expenses. The steps to follow these guidelines are listed here.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Filing form 1040 or 1040A is a requirement when claiming these expenses on your taxes.

2. Review the tax form to confirm that the dependent care expenses claimed are for a qualifying person who lived with you for the entire year.

3. Collect and examine your receipts to ensure that you the taxpayer is listed as the payer for the services rendered. The dependent care payments cannot have been made by someone else. These dependent care payments cannot be made to a minor or another dependent listed on your tax form.

4. Confirm that you have income to report for the year and that the expenses claimed for dependent care allowed you, the taxpayer, or your spouse to seek employment or maintain employment.

5. Verify your filing status is either single, married filing together, head of the family or widow with a dependent minor.

6. Write the name and address along with employer identification number on the form. If payments were made to a person, list that person's Social Security number.

Resources

• Test to claim the credit.
• Dependent care expenses.
• Form 2441 Child and Dependent Care.