Are children's extracurricular activities tax-deductible?

Question

My kids play soccer - it's expensive. Can I deduct it?

Answer 1

If you enroll your child under the age of 13 in an after-school activity, or summer activity (but not an away from home summer camp), so that you can work, you can take the Child and Dependent Care credit on Form 2441. If married filing jointly, both spouses must have worked (some exceptions apply).

The credit can be taken on qualified expenses up to $3,000 for each child, to a maximum of two children. The credit is a percent of the qualified expenses and ranges from 20% to 35% based on your income.

Get a statement from the provider of the activity as to the amounts paid for the soccer activity. You will also need the tax ID number of the provider and their address.

Some related expenses are not deductible such as equipment that must be purchased and transportation to the activity.

If one spouse does not work and is not disabled or a full-time student, no deduction is possible.

Answer 2

No.

You can "exclude" income that isn't taxable, you can "deduct" personal expenses only on schedual a (sports and hobbies aren't listed), and you can get "credits" for a very limited number of items.

For anything else, you really can't deduct anything unless it was an expense that helped you get income, like a fee for buying a savings bond.

Answer 3

Can be "yes" or "no." Instruction must be incidental to care. For example, a provider whether public or private, provides supervision, food and shelter for age-qualified children. That "care" is deductible. Another provider may offer the same basic "care" along with supervised soccer instruction, tennis instruction, pool activities, basketball activities, golf activities, all incidental to the provided shelter, supervision and food. These may be labeled Summer Camp, After-School Soccer, Tennis, Golf Camp, etc. The fact the child may receive added-recreation services does not "disqualify" the provider for childcare purposes. However, the provider must offer the basic supervised care and shelter for children if they choose to "sit-out" or not participate in the "incidental" recreational supervised activities offered. Thus children, parents can get childcare services suitable to their interests, same as children parents seeking camps aimed at arts or literature or continuing education, or parents who send their child to a relative or provider who offers NOTHING.

Answer 4

Sorry it's not deductible.

Answer 5

It's expensive to raise kids. It's not tax dedcutible. If it was, everybody would have tons of kids to take advantage of the IRS.

Tax Specialist

Answer 6

Nope