Figure 31-A. Can You Claim the Credit?

Summary: This flowchart is used to determine if a taxpayer can claim the Child and Dependent Care Credit.

Start

This is the starting of the flowchart.

Decision (1)

Was the care for one or more qualifying persons?

IF Yes Continue To Decision (2)
IF No Continue To Process (a)

Decision (2)

Did you (see Footnote 1) have earned income during the year?

Footnote 1: This also applies to your spouse, unless your spouse was disabled or a full-time student.

IF Yes Continue To Decision (3)
IF No Continue To Process (a)

Decision (3)

Did you pay the expenses to allow you (see Footnote 1) to work or look for work?

Footnote 1: This also applies to your spouse, unless your spouse was disabled or a full-time student.

IF Yes Continue To Decision (4)
IF No Continue To Process (a)

Decision (4)

Were your payments made to someone you or your spouse could claim as a dependent?

IF Yes Continue To Process (a)
IF No Continue To Decision (5)

Decision (5)

Were your payments made to your spouse or to the parent of your qualifying person who is your qualifying child and under age 13?

IF Yes Continue To Process (a)
IF No Continue To Decision (6)

Decision (6)

Were your payments made to your child who was under the age of 19 at the end of the year?

IF Yes Continue To Process (a)
IF No Continue To Decision (7)

Decision (7)

Are you single?

IF Yes Continue To Decision (10)
IF No Continue To Decision (8)

Decision (8)

Are you filing a joint return?

IF Yes Continue To Decision (10)
IF No Continue To Decision (9)

Decision (9)

Do you meet the requirements to be considered unmarried?

IF Yes Continue To Decision (10)
IF No Continue To Process (a)

Decision (10)

Do you know the care provider's name, address, and identifying number?

IF Yes Continue To Decision (12)
IF No Continue To Decision (11)

Decision (11)

Did you make a reasonable effort to get this information? (See Due diligence.)

IF Yes Continue To Decision (12)
IF No Continue To Process (a)

Decision (12)

Did you pay expenses for more than one qualifying person?

IF Yes Continue To Process (b)
IF No Continue To Decision (13)

Process (a)

You CANNOT claim the child and dependent care credit (see footnote 2).

Footnote 2: If you had expenses that met the requirements for 2011, except that you did not pay them until 2012, you may be able to claim those expenses in 2012. See Expenses not paid until the following year under How To Figure the Credit.

Continue To End

Process (b)

You may be able to claim the child and dependent care credit. Fill out Form 2441.

Decision (13)

Are you excluding or deducting at least $3,000 of dependent care benefits?

If Yes Continue to Process (a)
If No Continue to Process (b)

Continue To End

End

This is the ending of the flowchart.

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