How Much Can I Deduct for Child and Dependent Care Expenses?

You may be able to claim a credit for expenses for child care or certain types of dependent care.
How much you can deduct for child care or dependent care depends on a few tax rules.

If you have paid someone else to care for your child under the age of 13 or for a dependent over that age that cannot care for themselves. The child must reside in your home for more than 6 months out of the year.

The following items need to be met to claim this child or dependent care tax credit:

 

  • There must be income during the year claiming the credit
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  • The child and dependent care expenses must come from care provided while you were working or seeking work
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  • The care provider cannot be a dependent on your return
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  • You must be able to show who provided care
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  • You must have at least one qualifying person that care was provided for during the year you are claiming the credit
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    The amount of the credit

    The amount you receive will vary depending on your adjusted gross income. You can claim up to $3,000 in child or dependent care expenses for one qualifying person. If you have more than one qualifying person you can claim up to $6,000 in child care and dependent care expenses.

    If you receive any type of reimbursement for your child or dependent care expenses you must deduct this from your total expense. Some individuals receive child care benefits from their employers or some type of state assistance.

    To claim this credit you should use form 1040, 1040A, or 1040NR. You will not be able to claim this credit if you file using form 1040EZ or 1040NR-EZ.

    If you would like to learn more about child tax credits please visit TurboTax Online. TurboTax Online provides free tools to help you receive the most deductions and credits.

    Tips To Start And Run Your Online Business

    Do you still remember the first days after launching your home-based business? You probably soaked up as much relevant information as you could. This was a while ago, so you need some new information. Use the tips from this piece to get that excitement back.

    Do you have a new child, but no money for child care? You could start an in-home child care business. You will be able to work from home and care for your child while earning an income for the family.

    If you are traveling away for business, you can deduct these costs against your taxes. But you cannot if you are traveling purely for pleasure. You can save up to 50% on your meals and other travel expenses if you can document that the trip was for business purposes.

    Follow all your local laws and ordinances when running your online business. The last thing you want is the embarrassment of a fine or, worse yet, getting shut down. You want good neighbor relations through keeping a low profile. This means that you keep the signs to a minimum and limit traffic to and from your home. In this situation, reduced visibility in your surroundings is a good thing.

    Running your business is hard work, so be sure to make time for yourself. Of course you want to be successful with your home based business, however; don’t make yourself sick over it! Take occasional breaks where you do not even think about your business. This refreshes and restores you, so you can return to work more productive than before.

    When doing your taxes, use your office space as a write off. Be sure and claim everything you’re entitled to. Some of the rent, mortgage, utilities and other expenses can be written off.

    While you should be prepared to put a lot of time into your home business enterprise, don’t let it take over your life! Plan on spending some quality time with your friends and family so you can relax. You will surely burn out if you are working around the clock, all week long. Work when you’re supposed to work, and don’t do any overtime unless you really must. After all is said and done, then be sure to relax!

    Discussion forums on home businesses can help you out with your blueprint. Not only is this a great way to network with like-minded professionals, but it is another way to get your name and product out there to others. You can never tell where your next profitable contact will come from, so take advantage of every opportunity.

    You need to be as excited about your business as you were in the beginning. You want to do well and you may need a boost in order to get more motivation. This article, hopefully, gave you a lot of great information.

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