PA Child Tax Credit is matching federal. Shouldnt it be more?

[Vanessa A]

No.  The PA child and dependent tax credit is less than the federal credit.  It is between $600 for one child to a maximum of $2,100 for two children.  It is based on income.  

(Edited 4/20/2026 @ 7:17AM PST)

[TheDannyMann]

But shouldn't it at least match federal?  The math is not mathing.

[Vanessa A]

It should match your Federal Child and DEPENDENT Care Credit, not your Federal Child Tax Credit. Look at your federal form 2441 line 9a, is that the same number as what you see for your PA Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit?

[TheDannyMann]

I know the state matches the federal percentage, but if you have 3 or more kids, isn't there a $1,200 minimum floor on the PA Schedule DC? Even if our federal credit is lowered by our FSA, the state credit for families with 2+ kids shouldn't drop below $1,200?

[Vanessa A]

What is showing on line 9a of your form 2441?  

What is showing on line 2 of Schedule DC?

[TheDannyMann]

Line 9a Form 2441 is saying 200.
I mean, Line 2 of Schedule DC says Enter 9A of form 2441, so it is also 200.

What I am asking is that I thought the Law says a minimum of 20% of the 6k Expense Cap. (We're way over that number.)   

Does the PA $1,200 floor apply to the gross expenses before the DCA subtraction, or only the net credit after?  That's not how I would be interpreting this--- I mean, why sign up for a DCA if I'm leaving a grand on the table?

[Vanessa A · Accepted solution]

No.  If you read the form it clearly says, enter the amount on line 9A from form 2441.  The PA law is basically giving you the same credit as you get for the federal credit, with no calculations whatsoever.  The instructions have NO instructions other than enter the amount from 9A on form 2441.   So whatever you get for federal is what you will get for state. 

The amount that is on line 9A of form 2441 will go on line 2 of Schedule DC which will go on line 23 of the PA-40.  There is nothing more to it.  If something affects your federal credit, it will also affect the state credit.