Ask the Expert: Can I Claim My Child's Summer Camp on My Taxes?

By NYMetroParents Staff May 14, 2015

Did you send your kids to summer camp? You may be able to write off the expense on your taxes. Find out if your child's summer camp qualifies for Child and Dependent Care Credit.

doing taxes

Did you know that your children’s summer camp may qualify for a tax credit? Many hard-working parents need to enroll their children in summer camps while summer recess is in session. The IRS understands these hardships of working individuals and allows parents to deduct certain summer camp expenses as part of the Child and Dependent Care Credit. There are some exclusions and certain situations that do not apply to this credit.

Here are six facts to help you determine whether your child’s summer camp expenses qualify for a tax credit:

1. The child must be younger than 13 years old.

2. The cost of day camp may count as an expense towards the Child and Dependent Care Credit.

3. Expenses for overnight camps do not qualify.

4. Whether your childcare provider is a sitter at your home or daycare/camp facility outside the home, you’ll get some tax benefit if you qualify for the credit.

5. The credit can be up to 35 percent of your qualifying expenses, depending on your income.

6. You may use up to $3,000 of the unreimbursed expenses paid in a year for one qualifying individual or $6,000 for two or more qualifying individuals to figure the credit.

To claim the credit on your tax return you will need the following information:

Company Name or Care Provider Name
Address of facility, or home address of care provider
EIN (Employer ID Number) or Social Security number
Total fees spent on child care for each child

Many summer camps/daycares and child care providers will issue W-10s to parents to make it easier for them to include the information on their tax returns. If the camp does not supply you with a W-10, you may call the facility/child care provider and ask them for this information directly.

If you have any questions about whether your child’s summer camp expenses qualify for the Child and Dependent Care Credit, get in touch with a tax professional.

Meet the Expert: Rachel Michaelov, EA, is a licensed enrolled agent with Empire Tax Professionals, which has offices in Manhattan and Forest Hills, Queens. Empire Tax Professionals specializes in individual and small business tax returns, and offers professional guidance to parents filing taxes. For more information, call 212-300-5776.