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Policy Priority
The Tax Code

Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit

Overview

The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC) helps parents pay for child care so they can work and is the only provision of the tax code specifically created to help working parents pay for child care.

The CDCTC helps working parents keep more of what they make and helps offset the high cost of child care. Parents can claim a percentage of expenses to help cover the cost of care for children under the age of 13 or adult dependents.

CDCTC helps parents afford child care by offsetting the cost of going to work and providing for their families. It is critical that Congress expand this tax provision to support businesses and parents.

Top
Resources

Resource

FFYF Capsule Collection: Tax Policy and Child Care

November 30, 2023

Millions of American families today are struggling to find the affordable, reliable, quality child care they depend on to go to work. This has a devastating impact on our youngest …

Resource

Strengthening Child Care Tax Incentives to Support Working Families

March 11, 2019

Child care is not a luxury for American families—it’s a necessity. Yet the costs associated with quality child care are rapidly out-pacing most other expenses faced by families, including the …

Resource

Understanding the Difference Between the Child Tax Credit and the Child Care Tax Credit ⁠— and Why We Need Both

December 1, 2023

Child care is not a luxury for American families – it’s a necessity. Yet the high costs associated with quality child care are rapidly out-pacing most other expenses faced by …

Latest
updates

News

500+ Organizations from All 50 States Unite Behind Child Care, Paid Leave, and Child Tax Credit in Build Back Better Act

October 8, 2021

WASHINGTON – As negotiations on the budget reconciliation process continue, over 550 organizations have signed onto a letter to Democratic Congressional leaders urging lawmakers to maintain crucial provisions of the …

News

House of Representatives Advances Budget Resolution to Make Significant Investments in Child Care and Preschool

August 24, 2021

WASHINGTON — Today, the House passed legislation providing instructions and establishing overall funding levels to guide lawmakers as they craft an upcoming budget reconciliation package aimed at addressing the needs …


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