Question:   My babysitter refused to provide me with her social security number. Can I still claim the amount I paid to the babysitter for child care while I worked? If so, how do I claim these child care expenses on my tax return?

Answer:   Yes, if you meet the other requirements to claim the child and dependent care credit, but are missing the social security number or other taxpayer identification number of a provider, you can still claim the credit by demonstrating "due diligence" in attempting to secure this information.

• If a provider of child care refuses to give the identifying information, the taxpayer can still claim the credit.
• The taxpayer must provide whatever information is available about the provider (such as name and address) on Form 2441 (PDF), Child and Dependent Care Expenses, or Form 1040A, Schedule 2 (PDF), Child and Dependent Care Expenses for Form 1040A Filers.
• Write "see page 2" in the columns requesting the missing information.
• Write at the bottom of page 2 that the provider refused to give the requested information.
• This statement will show that the taxpayer used due diligence in trying to secure and furnish the identifying information.