Get Form 2441 2022-2024

Child care expenses, including babysitters and daycare, are tax deductible, but there are limitations on who can claim the expenses. For example, in a two-parent household, only the spouse or common-law partner with the lower net income can claim child care expenses.

The Young Child Tax Credit (YCTC) provides up to $1,117 per eligible tax return. YCTC may provide you with cash back or reduce any tax you owe. California families qualify with earned income of $30,931 or less.

The IRS may ask for verification of childcare expenses. Not every taxpayer will be audited but filers must be prepared to show proof of expenses and that underlying information (i.e., who care costs were paid to) was reported correctly.

To claim the credit, you (and your spouse, if you're married) must have income earned from a job and you must have paid for the care so that you could work or look for work. You can claim from 20% to 35% of your care expenses up to a maximum of $3,000 for one person, or $6,000 for two or more people (tax year 2023).

Earned income is your total earnings after deducting taxes you've already paid, applying credits such as the EIC and other deductions. Earned income that might not be common can include union strike benefits, specific retirement pensions and long-term disability benefits.

Reporting on Your Tax Return If you qualify for the credit, complete Form 2441, Child and Dependent Care Expenses and attach to Form 1040, U.S Individual Income Tax Return, Form 1040-SR, U.S. Tax Return for Seniors or Form 1040-NR, U.S. Nonresident Alien Income Tax Return.

A Dependent Care FSA (DCFSA) is a pre-tax benefit account used to pay for eligible dependent care services, such as preschool, summer day camp, before or after school programs, and child or adult daycare. It's a smart, simple way to save money while taking care of your loved ones so that you can continue to work.