I am currently working as a contractor for the government overseas and since I am not military I have to pay for my Kindergartner's tuition - out of pocket. For one year, I pay $17,424.00. I was wondering if I would be able to get any of this back when I file my taxes? I will be filing Head of Household and her father currently pays me $760 per month in child support. Please let me know if anyone needs more specifics. Thank you for your time!
2007-11-05 03:38:47 · 4 answers · asked by Yap 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Taxes ➔ United States
No. From IRS Publication 17, page 208, section on child and dependent care credit:
"Expenses for a child in nursery school, preschool or similar programs below the level of kindergarten are expenses for care. Expenses to attend kindergarten or a higher grade are not expenses for care. Do not use these expenses to figure your credit."
If some of the expense is for kindergarten, and some is for before or after school care and it's broken out separately on your bill, you could use the before and after school care portion toward a child care credit.
A maximum of $3000 of expenses can be used for one child. The credit you get is a percentage of the expenses that depends on your income, ranging from 20 to 35%. So if you have the maximum of $3000 in eligible expenses, your credit would be between $600 and $1050 depending on your income - you don't get the whole amount back.
2007-11-05 07:06:16 · answer #1 · answered by Judy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Kindergarten tuition is not deductible. However if some of the fees are for after-school care, such as an extended day for working parents, then that fee may be eligible for the Dependent Care Credit.
If you can take the DCC, attach Form 2441 to your tax return. The credit applies to up to $3,000 of expenses for one child and ranges from 20% to 35% of the expenses paid.
The child support paid by the other parent has no impact on your tax return.
2007-11-05 19:57:08 · answer #2 · answered by ninasgramma 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only tuition for post-secondary education is deductible.
You MIGHT be able to take the Child & Dependent Care Credit for any portion of the tuition that is for daycare so that you can work. That portion must be separately stated on the invoice from the school to qualify as such, however.
2007-11-05 11:46:26 · answer #3 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
School tuition for below first grade can be treated as child care so you can get the maximum child care credit for a person in whatever income bracket you are in.
2007-11-05 11:42:30 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋