How to resolve Lacerte diagnostic ref. 6676 - Child who turns 13 during the year

This article will help to resolve the following critical diagnostic:

• Qualifying-dependent #X: A child who turns 13 during the year is a qualifying person for the part of the year he or she was under age 13. A dependent must be under age 13 to qualify for the dependent care credit. (ref. #6676)

Lacerte generates this diagnostic when a dependent is 13 years old and entered on Screen 33, Dependent Care Credit (2441). The diagnostic won't go away, but it won't prevent the return from e-filing. Lacerte doesn't pro-rate the amount entered on Screen 33.1 and Screen 33.2.

Follow these steps to resolve the diagnostic:

1. Manually figure the expenses for the child during the qualified time frame:
   • Divide the entire year's amount paid by 12.
   • Multiply that amount by the number of months the child was 12 years old.
2. Go to Screen 33, Dependent Care Credit (2441).
3. Select Child and Dependent Care Expenses (2441) from the lower left section menu.
4. Select the Dependent or select Add from the mid-left panel.
5. Enter the amount calculated in Qualified dependent care expense incurred and paid in 20YY (MANDATORY).
6. Select Persons or Organizations Providing Dependent Care from the top-left menu (this will take you to Screen 33.2).
7. Select the Provider or Add from the mid-left menu panel.
8. Enter the Total amount paid to the care provider in 20YY for all dependents.