# Child Care Expense

**URL:** <https://www.protaxcommunity.com/t/child-care-expense/12026>\
**Category:** Tax Topics\
**Created:** [March 6, 2026, 10:37pm UTC](https://www.protaxcommunity.com/t/child-care-expense/12026 "2026-03-06T22:37:17Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![guptatax](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/www.protaxcommunity.com/guptatax/32/932_2.png) [@guptatax](https://www.protaxcommunity.com/u/guptatax)\
**Post date:** [March 6, 2026, 10:37pm UTC](https://www.protaxcommunity.com/t/child-care-expense/12026/1 "2026-03-06T22:37:17Z")

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Hi everyone,

I know child care expense can be claimed by the lower income spouse. What if, lower income spouse has no income at all?

In this situation software checked the higher income spouse box. I called Tax Cycle for help Mr. Allen Sasoon said I should read the rules and said if lower income spouse has no income, higher income spouse can claim it.

Is this the new rule, might not be in my knowledge, can someone help me.

Thanks in advance.

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**Author:** ![BertMulderCGA](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/www.protaxcommunity.com/bertmuldercga/32/42_2.png) [@BertMulderCGA](https://www.protaxcommunity.com/u/BertMulderCGA)\
**Post date:** [March 6, 2026, 10:47pm UTC](https://www.protaxcommunity.com/t/child-care-expense/12026/2 "2026-03-06T22:47:30Z")

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> **[Determine who can claim the deduction - Line 21400 – Child care expenses -...](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/about-your-tax-return/tax-return/completing-a-tax-return/deductions-credits-expenses/line-21400-child-care-expenses/who-claim-deduction.html)**
>
> Information to help determine the child care expenses deduction you can claim. What are child care expenses?

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**Author:** ![rachelavryl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ccd318/32.png) [@rachelavryl](https://www.protaxcommunity.com/u/rachelavryl)\
**Post date:** [March 6, 2026, 10:51pm UTC](https://www.protaxcommunity.com/t/child-care-expense/12026/3 "2026-03-06T22:51:45Z")

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Always been a rule 😊

If no income, then no deduction unless no income spouse was a student or unable to look after child due to incarceration or documented medical issues from a physician stating they were unable to do so.

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**Author:** ![msbuttar](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/www.protaxcommunity.com/msbuttar/32/2516_2.png) [@msbuttar](https://www.protaxcommunity.com/u/msbuttar)\
**Post date:** [March 6, 2026, 11:06pm UTC](https://www.protaxcommunity.com/t/child-care-expense/12026/4 "2026-03-06T23:06:46Z")

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If the spouse is not working, not a student, not in the jail, not sick, then they can not claim Child Care Expenses.