How do I claim the child and dependent care credit?

To claim the child and dependent care credit, you must be filing your tax return using either Form 1040 or Form 1040A (you cannot use Form 1040EZ). If you are filing with Form 1040, you can calculate your credit using Form 2441, and if you are filing your return with Form 1040A, you can calculate your credit using Schedule 2.

As you will see on these forms, you must include the name, address and taxpayer identification number (which is a person’s Social Security number if you hired an individual, rather than a business) of the persons you hired to care for your children or dependents. If you have your care provider fill out a Form W-10, you will have this information when it comes time to file your tax return.