Skip to content
My Free Taxes
  • Español

How do you want to file your taxes for free?

  • On my own (quick and easy)
  • With virtual help
  • With in-person help (schedule)
  • Resources
    • Resource Hub
    • Volunteer Information
    • Tax Credit Calculator
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • About My Free Taxes
    • Who We Are
    • News and Media
    • Testimonials
    • Contact Us
  • Español
Resources: Guides

Writing Off Child Care Expenses

Learn how you can maximize your tax refund by writing off child care expenses.
Updated 11/11/2022
Share:
Share

United Ways of California Writing Off Child Care Expenses

The Child Care and Dependent Care Credit allows families to get back a portion of the money they paid to a child care provider and help reduce the amount of money you owe. You can receive up to a 35% credit on qualifying expenses of $3,000 for one child, or up to $6,000 for two or more children.

Child care can include a variety of care including: a day care center, summer camp, in home care, nanny, or babysitter. (See more criteria down below.)

To qualify for the Child Care and Dependent Care Credit, you must meet all the following criteria:

  • You (and your spouse, if you are married filing jointly) must have earned income for the tax year.
  • You must be the custodial parent or main caretaker of the child or dependent.
  • The child or dependent care service must have been used so that you could work or look for employment.
  • Your filing status must be single, head of household, qualifying widow or widower with a qualifying child, or married filing jointly.
  • Your child or dependent must be under 13.
    • If the child is disabled and is physically or mentally unable to care for themselves, there is no age requirement.
  • The childcare provider cannot be your spouse or dependent or the child’s parent.

Qualifying expenses include:

  • Childcare provided by a babysitter or licensed dependent care center.
  • The cost of a cook, housekeeper, maid, or cleaning person who provides care for the child or dependent.
  • Day camp or summer camp fees if the camp was selected to provide care while the parent or parents were at work. However, overnight camps do not qualify.
  • Before- and after-school care for children under 13.
  • Costs related to a nurse, home care provider, or other care provider for a disabled dependent.

Please note that expenses related to schooling, tutoring, or overnight camps are not qualifying expenses.

How to Claim the Child Care Credit:

  • Fill out Form 2441 with your federal tax return
  • Provide identifying information from your child care provider. (They will usually send this to you automatically, but you can call and ask for it.)
    • Name, address, and taxpayer identification number for your child care provider
  • Provide total dollar amount that was spent on child care
    • Child care provider should send this to you automatically, but you can request a copy of your receipt

To learn more about the Child and Dependent Care Credit, visit the IRS website.

Want to view other tax resources? Visit our Resource Hub for more.

Myfreetaxes.org logo

MyFreeTaxes.org is operated by United Ways of California, on behalf of and in partnership with our local United Way members.

United Ways of California improves the health, education and financial results for low-income children and families by enhancing and coordinating the advocacy and community impact work of California United Ways across the state.

Disclaimer: This site is best viewed using the current browser version of Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Chrome and Safari. If you are using an out of date browser or a version of Internet Explorer, you may not experience the full effect when viewing the site.

To access some features on MyFreeTaxes.org and other pages, you may need to disable or configure the settings for your pop-up blocker. Learn more.

  • File for Free
    • File on my own
    • File with virtual help
    • File with in-person help
    • Tax Credit Calculator
  • Resources
    • Resource Hub
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Volunteer Information
  • About My Free Taxes
    • Who We Are
    • Testimonials
    • Contact Us
    • News and Media

Follow United Ways of California

1107 Fair Oaks Ave #12

South Pasadena, CA 91030

myfreetaxes@unitedwaysca.org

(877) 355-8922

© 2023 My Free Taxes
Privacy Policy