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  1. Home
  2. Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit

Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit

What is the CDCTC and what it means for you

The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC) lowers your taxes based on how much you spend on childcare. The credit is calculated based on your income and a percentage of expenses that you had for the care of your dependents to enable you to go to work, look for work, or attend school.

Am I Eligible?

  • You may be eligible to claim the child and dependent care credit if you paid expenses for the care of a dependent to enable you (and your spouse, if filing a joint return) to work or actively look for work.

  • You (or your spouse if filing a joint return) lived in the United States for more than half of the year. However, special rules apply to military personnel stationed outside of the United States.

  • You can use the IRS’s eligibility tool to see if you qualify by clicking below.

See if you qualify

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