Tax refund if you paid for child and dependent care

Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit | NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP); Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

Cash & Expenses Everyone

The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit reimburses you up to 50% of the cost for caring for a child or adult dependent. On your 2024 tax return, you can claim up to $3,000 for the cost of care for one qualifying person and $6,000 for care for two or more qualifying persons.

  • File your 2024 tax return by April 15, 2025 to claim this credit.
  • You qualify if you paid for someone to care for your children or dependents while you worked or looked for work. This includes costs for a day care center or a babysitter.

Who is eligible

To be eligible for the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit, you should be able to answer yes to these questions:

  1. Did you pay someone to care for your dependent so that you (and your spouse, if filing a joint return) could work or look for work? Qualifying dependents are:
    • a child under age 13 at the time of care;
    • a spouse or adult dependent who cannot physically or mentally care for themselves.
  2. Did the dependent live with you for more than half of 2024?
  3. Did you (and your spouse if you file taxes jointly) earn income? These can be from wages, salaries, tips, other taxable employee money, or earnings from self-employment.
  4. If you are married, do both you and your spouse work outside of the home?
    • If not, do one of you work outside of the home while the other is a full-time student, has a disability, or is looking for work?

What you need to apply

To claim the credit, you will need the following for everyone listed on your tax return:

  • Identity and age: such as photo ID, driver’s license, IDNYC, passport, or naturalization certificate.
  • Citizenship or immigration status: such as your birth certificate or a U.S. passport.
  • Your earned and unearned income (if any): such as a recent pay stub or unemployment benefits statement, pension correspondence, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
  • Dependent care cost: Amount of money you paid for your child or dependent’s care.

How to apply

File your federal taxes for free with getyourrefund.org to claim the credit. If mailing your tax return, complete Form 1040 and include Form 2441.

You can get free tax filing help online, in person or by dropping off your documents with NYC Free Tax Prep.


How to get help

Other Cash & Expenses Programs

Child Tax Credit (CTC)

NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP); Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

Tax credit for families with children

Families can claim this tax credit worth up to $2,000 for each qualifying child under 17 years old.

Cash Assistance

NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA)

Monthly cash help when you are in need

Cash assistance can help you pay rent, utilities, and other emergency expenses.

Updated February 6, 2025