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How do I claim COVID-related child care expenses in TurboTax?

SOLVEDby TurboTax1Updated January 10, 2024

Being a parent during the COVID-19 pandemic has certainly come with its fair share of challenges. At TurboTax, we're here to help.

By simplifying the process in our products, we've made claiming child care expenses easier than ever before. Simply watch the video to be guided through the process of claiming your COVID-related child care expenses, or follow along with our step-by-step guide.

Note: If you haven’t already completed filling out your personal information and reported income, make sure you do so before beginning this process.

  1. Select Find (the magnifying glass icon) from the icon menu.
  2. Enter child in the search bar. Select Child Care Expenses from the list of results, then Go.
  3. Select Yes if asked Did you pay for child care?
  4. At Claiming Child Care:
    • If you are the higher income spouse or partner, select Yes.
      1. At Child Care Situations, enter applicable information about the lower income spouse.
      2. Select Continue and proceed, providing any additional info requested.
    • If you are the lower income spouse or partner, select No.
      • At Child Care Situations, enter the amount of any child care expenses the higher income spouse or partner is claiming.
  5. At Child Care Receipt Summary select Enter New Receipt.
  6. At Let's get your child care receipt details enter the info for receipt #1, then select Enter New Child Care Receipt for each additional receipt, if any.
  7. When all receipts are entered, select Done With Receipt.
  8. At Child Care Receipt Summary review the info and if the summary is complete and correct, select Done.

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