How the Child and Dependent Care Credit Works

The Child and Dependent Care Credit (CDCC) is a non‑refundable federal tax credit that helps working taxpayers offset the cost of caring for qualifying individuals. Qualifying persons include children under age 13 and certain spouses or dependents who are physically or mentally incapable of self‑care. To claim the credit, the care must enable the taxpayer to work or look for work, and the provider cannot be a spouse, parent of the child, or another dependent. This calculator guides you through the core calculation and illustrates how income levels influence the percentage of expenses that can be claimed.

The credit is based on a percentage of employment‑related expenses for household services and care of qualifying individuals. However, the amount of expenses you can use is capped at $3,000 for one qualifying person or $6,000 for two or more. The percentage applied to those expenses starts at 35% for taxpayers with adjusted gross income (AGI) of $15,000 or less and gradually phases down to 20% for AGI above $43,000. Because the percentage declines as income rises, accurate calculations require determining the applicable rate for your AGI.

The calculator follows the IRS formula by first selecting the lower of actual expenses and the statutory cap. It then determines the credit rate using a stepwise reduction. For every $2,000 of AGI above $15,000, the 35% rate drops by one percentage point until reaching the 20% floor. In mathematical terms, the rate r is defined as:

where A is AGI. The qualifying expense Q is

where E is total qualifying expenses and N is the number of qualifying persons. The credit is then

The table below lists the applicable percentage for different AGI ranges to illustrate the phase‑down:

AGI Range ($)	Credit Percentage
15,000 or less	35%
15,001 – 17,000	34%
17,001 – 19,000	33%
19,001 – 21,000	32%
21,001 – 23,000	31%
23,001 – 25,000	30%
25,001 – 27,000	29%
27,001 – 29,000	28%
29,001 – 31,000	27%
31,001 – 33,000	26%
33,001 – 35,000	25%
35,001 – 37,000	24%
37,001 – 39,000	23%
39,001 – 41,000	22%
41,001 – 43,000	21%
Above 43,000	20%

Consider an example: A household has AGI of $60,000, two children under 13, and $12,000 of qualifying daycare expenses. Because two or more qualifying persons are involved, the maximum expenses eligible for the credit are $6,000. The AGI of $60,000 places the household in the 20% bracket. The credit is thus $6,000 × 20% = $1,200. The calculator reproduces this result instantly and also reveals the difference if AGI dropped below $43,000; the credit rate would increase to 21% or more, boosting the credit.

The credit is non‑refundable, meaning it can reduce your tax liability to zero but not below. If the calculated credit exceeds your tax due, the excess does not carry forward. However, the CDCC often interacts with other provisions. For example, you cannot double‑dip by using the same expenses for both this credit and a dependent care flexible spending account (FSA). The calculator assumes all entered expenses are eligible and not reimbursed by an employer.

Parents working part‑time or seeking employment also qualify, but they must have earned income during the year. Married couples filing jointly must both have earned income unless one spouse is disabled or a full‑time student, in which case a deemed income amount applies. The tool simplifies these rules by focusing on AGI and expense caps, but understanding the underlying requirements ensures accurate planning.

Because the credit percentage declines with income, tax planning strategies may involve deferring income or accelerating deductions to remain in a higher percentage bracket. The table above can be used to visualize how relatively small shifts in AGI change the credit. Some families time bonuses or retirement contributions to stay below thresholds.

The calculator also supports what‑if analysis. By experimenting with different expense levels and AGI figures, you can see how the credit scales. For instance, if your AGI is $34,000 and you have $4,000 of daycare expenses for one child, the credit rate is 25% and qualifying expenses are capped at $3,000. The credit would be $750. Increasing expenses to $6,000 does not double the credit because the cap limits eligible expenses to $3,000 for one child. The result table highlights these interactions so you can budget effectively.

While the CDCC provides relief for many households, some states offer their own dependent care credits or deductions. The federal credit calculated here can serve as a starting point for evaluating state benefits by substituting local caps or rates. Always consult state instructions to ensure compliance.

Another important nuance is the documentation requirement. To claim the credit, you must provide the care provider’s name, address, and taxpayer identification number on your tax return. The calculator includes a reminder to keep records but does not collect personal information.

In summary, the Child and Dependent Care Credit eases the financial burden of working families by subsidizing a portion of necessary care expenses. This calculator demystifies the computation, guiding you from AGI and expense inputs to a clear estimate of the tax credit. By experimenting with different scenarios, you can plan for childcare costs, evaluate the impact of raises or job changes on your credit, and ensure you claim the maximum relief available.