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posted Jun 1, 2019 10:59:43 AM

What are the advantages of claiming child care, how much do you actually get back if you claim it?

My wife is considering going back to work and we're trying to figure out if it is worth it, as child care will eat up most of her pay.

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1 Best answer
Expert Alumni
Jun 1, 2019 10:59:45 AM

If the childcare expenses will eat up most of her pay, the child care credit will not make up for this. The maximum qualifying child care expense per child is $3,000. (For two or more children, the limit is $6,000 ) You get a credit for up to 35% of that amount.  So for one child, the maximum child tax credit is $1,050 [$3,000 x 35% = $1,050] and for 2 or more children, the maximum credit is $2,100 [$6,000 x 35% = $2,100].  If your joint income is over $43,000 your maximum credit for one child is $600 and $1,200 for 2 or more children.

The credit percentage used for the Child & Dependent Care Credit ranges from 20% to 35% of your qualified expenses based on your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI).  For AGI over $43,000 the credit percentage is 20%.

You can check out IRS Pub 503, Page 15Line 12 for the full Child Care Credit Rate Table:  https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p503.pdf.

Please comment below if you need further clarification.

1 Replies
Expert Alumni
Jun 1, 2019 10:59:45 AM

If the childcare expenses will eat up most of her pay, the child care credit will not make up for this. The maximum qualifying child care expense per child is $3,000. (For two or more children, the limit is $6,000 ) You get a credit for up to 35% of that amount.  So for one child, the maximum child tax credit is $1,050 [$3,000 x 35% = $1,050] and for 2 or more children, the maximum credit is $2,100 [$6,000 x 35% = $2,100].  If your joint income is over $43,000 your maximum credit for one child is $600 and $1,200 for 2 or more children.

The credit percentage used for the Child & Dependent Care Credit ranges from 20% to 35% of your qualified expenses based on your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI).  For AGI over $43,000 the credit percentage is 20%.

You can check out IRS Pub 503, Page 15Line 12 for the full Child Care Credit Rate Table:  https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p503.pdf.

Please comment below if you need further clarification.