Can I deduct what I paid for child care expenses without our babysitters tax id or ssn?

Fr_Chuck

No you will need thier tax id number,

this prevents someone from of course claiming expenses they dont' have and also forces people who baby sit to claim that income on their taxes.

If they refuse to give it to you, report them to the IRS, we did that two years ago for a private day care

Many private child care people who operate out of thier homes are not licesed or insured even and do not wish to report this income. Thus why many do the baby sitting cheaper than real day care centers

AtlantaTaxExpert

Fr Chuck:

They also want to avoid the often very intrusive state regulation.

However, you are correct; for the most part, they want to avoid paying up to 50 cent of each dollar they earn for taxes.

Fr_Chuck

Forget about that state tax, living here in TN.

The last day care we used was a larger one operated by a church. At the end of the year I asked them for thier tax id and they fliped out. Refused to tell me, I copied them on a letter I sent to the IRS about the school and had thier ID number in about a week.

AtlantaTaxExpert

Good for you!