Are full day kindergarten expenses tax deductible?

Question

My daughter goes to kindergarten in a public school. It is only half day, but the parents can choose full day service for a fee to the school district. So her class lasts the whole day. It is this fee that I am not sure if deductible. Thanks for all the answers.

Answer 1

K-12 Educational expenses are not deductible on the Federal Tax return.. Educational Expenses for post Secondary Education ; College, Universities, are deductible

Publication 970
http://www.irs.gov/publications/p970/index.html


Update to additional information
The portion that is attributed to daycare can be used for the Dependant and Child Care Credit, if you meet all of the qualifications to claim the credit
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p503.pdf

Answer 2

Technically, Judy is right. However, you can argue that kindergarten in public school is free for half-day. You are essentially paying a fee for daycare services the school provides. This allows you and your spouse to work. I would claim the expense on Form 2441. You will get the credit, no questions asked.

Answer 3

The above answers reveal a misunderstanding of the nature of deductions vs. credits. Child care expenses can qualify for a child care credit, which is a credit taken against the calculated income tax (after deductions are applied against income). Deductions reduce income, and credits reduce the calculated tax. Many companies offer cafeteria plans which may include child care expenses being paid for on a pre-tax basis, but there is no provision for directly deducting these expense on the U.S. Federal return. The credit is taken on Form 1040 by completing Form 2441, and on Form 1040A by completing Schedule 2.

Answer 4

Child and dependent care expenses are tax deductible (form 2441), but only if either both spouses work, or one works and one is a full time student. The amount of the kindergarten expense that's not considered tuition, but considered after-school-care would be deductible. The credit you get is also dependent on your income.

Answer 5

NO! The portion associated with the after school or before school DAYCARE is the amount you use for the Child and Dependent Care Credit. You must be able to break down the fees into tuition and daycare.

No amount of private school tuition is deductible.

Answer 6

Expenses to attend kindergarten or a higher grade are not eligible dependent care expenses, so no. See chapter 32, IRS Publication 17.

Answer 7

No. But after-school expenses are deductible as dependent care expenses.

Answer 8

It is not deductible as a Education Credit (form 8863). But you could possibly claim it as child and dependent care credit (form 2441). Check with the provider - they'll be able to verify it with you, as well as the amount that qualifies.

Answer 9

Yes, child care expenses are tax deductible. I have 2 children and got to deduct my childcare expenses. Your accountant should call the child care center and get the appropriate info from them to include with your tax return

Answer 10

yes, if ur company does not provide day care you should be able to deduct it, speak with your accountant.