How does this work? Can someone please explain?

Question

Babysitter says she claims your kids on her taxes?

Answer 1

Something must have got lost in the translation.  That claim makes absolutely no sense.  A baby sitter is a hired hand, a household employee.  To claim children on your tax return, you need their social security numbers.  How is she going to get those?

Answer 2

she should claim what you pay her for babysitting, not use your children as dependents.

Answer 3

She isn't allowed to claim them as dependents.  She is required to claim the income she gets for watching them.

Answer 4

She cannot obviously claim your kids as dependants, 1) she doesnt have your childrens SS# and 2) I am sure that isnt what she was meaning. I had a lady sitting for my son for almost a year and yes she claimed it as income. So what she did was give me her info. which I think it had her SS# and how much I had paid her for the year so I could claim that on my taxes as well. Just ask her how much she claimed she made that way you can put it on yours too. Either way, I dont think it will hurt you if you do not put how much you payed in child care expense, its just not going to help you any.

Answer 5

No she can't!

If she is old enough to file a tax return, she has to report her earnings she made off of watching your kids.

And you can put the amount paid for child care expenses on your tax return. Make sure you have receipts if you have to prove it.

If she doesn't report she will have to pay back later.

But in no way is she entitled to claim your kids as her dependents.

Plus anyone filing children on their taxes must have had that child living with them for 6 months first.

If she's trying to take money from you I think I would find another sitter.

Answer 6

Explanation: Babysitter is committing tax fraud.

If she actually has filed *her* tax return claiming *your* children as dependents, both you and she will get a letter from the IRS stating that the children have been claimed on two different returns and asking that you both provide proof that you are the one who should be allowed to claim them.

In this case, it's a no-brainer. You'll get the deductions, she'll (hopefully) get slapped with fines and penalties.