Summer Child Care Expenses May Provide

A Tax Credit

Did you know that your summer daycare expenses may qualify for an income tax credit? The Child and Dependent Care Credit is available for expenses incurred during the lazy hazy days of summer and throughout the rest of the year.

Many parents who work or are looking for work must arrange for care of their children under 13 years of age during the school vacation. Those expenses may help you get a credit on next year’s tax return.

Here are five facts the IRS wants you to know about a tax credit available for child care expenses:

*The cost of day camp may count as an expense toward the child and dependent care credit.

*Expenses for overnight camps do not qualify.

*If your child care provider is a sitter at your home or a daycare facility outside the home, you will get some tax benefit if you qualify for the credit.

*The actual credit can be up to 35 percent of your qualifying expenses, depending upon your income.

*You may use up to $3,000 of the unreimbursed expenses paid in a year for one qualifying individual or $6,000 for two or more qualifying individuals to figure the credit.

For more information check out IRS Publication 503, Child and Dependent Care Expenses. This publication is available on the IRS website, IRS.gov, or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).