Child & Dependent Care Credit Calculator (2025)

Estimate your federal Child and Dependent Care Credit for tax year 2025 using IRS rules in Publication 503 and Form 2441. Expense caps are typically $3,000 for one qualifying person or $6,000 for two or more, and the credit rate generally ranges from 20% to 35% depending on AGI.

Dependent and Child Care Credit Calculator (2025)

What this calculator does

The Child and Dependent Care Credit can reduce your federal income tax when you pay for care so you (and your spouse, if filing jointly) can work or look for work. The IRS explains eligibility, qualifying persons, and eligible expenses in Topic 602 and in Publication 503.

This tool applies the standard framework (nonrefundable federal credit): eligible expenses are limited by statutory caps and earned income limits (Form 2441 mechanics).

Expense cap: $3,000 (one qualifying person) or $6,000 (two or more).
Credit rate: 35% at low AGI and phases down to 20% once AGI exceeds $43,000 (per IRS table).
Dependent care benefits (for example, W-2 Box 10) generally reduce expenses available for the credit.

Enter your information

Filing status MFS is generally not eligible unless you meet the exception noted on Form 2441.

Adjusted gross income (AGI) Used to determine the IRS credit percentage table.

Qualifying persons For example, a child under 13 or a qualifying dependent who can’t care for themselves.

Care expenses paid (total) Daycare, after-school care, day camp, etc. See IRS rules in Publication 503.

Dependent care benefits (W-2 Box 10) If applicable, benefits generally reduce expenses available for the credit (Form 2441 workflow).

Your earned income Required. Form 2441 limits expenses by earned income.

Spouse earned income Required for MFJ. The limit uses the lower earner.

Your estimated 2025 credit

Enter your info to see results

Expenses paid$0

Less dependent care benefits$0

Net expenses considered$0

Max expense cap (2025)$3,000

Earned income limit$0

Eligible expenses$0

Credit percentage (IRS table)20%

Estimated credit (nonrefundable)$0

If you are collecting documentation for your return, keep provider details (name, address, and taxpayer identification number) and match your entries to the IRS workflow in the 2025 Instructions for Form 2441.

Important disclaimer

This calculator provides an estimate for educational purposes only and does not account for every Form 2441 scenario (for example, tax liability limits, certain special rules, or full-time student/deemed earned income rules). Confirm details with IRS guidance before filing.

What this calculator estimates

The Child and Dependent Care Credit may reduce your federal income tax when you pay for care so you (and your spouse, if filing jointly) can work or look for work. This estimator follows the standard workflow most filers use: (1) determine qualifying persons, (2) net out dependent care benefits, (3) apply the expense cap, (4) apply earned-income limits, then (5) apply the AGI-based credit percentage.

Some of our other Calculators

Refund vs. Owed Estimator (2025) — helpful context for nonrefundable credits.
Mileage vs. Actual (2025) — if you also drive for work.
Talk to a preparer — if you have multiple providers, shared custody, or dependent care FSA coordination.

Additional References

IRS: Publication 503 and Instructions for Form 2441 (eligibility, definitions, and mechanics).
Tax policy explainer: Tax Policy Center – Care credit overview (plain-language, non-commercial framing).
Practical overview: NerdWallet – how the credit works (examples, common misconceptions).
Editorial guide: Kiplinger – credit rules and examples (scenario-driven, consumer-friendly).

Note: This estimator is planning-grade. It does not model every Form 2441 edge case (tax liability limits, special rules, or full-time student/deemed earned income rules). Use the references above to confirm filing details.

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Child & Dependent Care Credit Calculator (2025)

What this calculator does

Enter your information