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In order for you to qualify for the credit, the following must be true:

• The child must be claimed as your dependent (or the child could be claimed as your dependent if you did not agree that your ex-spouse would claim that child). If you are the non-custodial parent, you may not claim the child care credit, even if you do claim the exemption for the child. For this purpose, the parent who has custody more of the year is the "custodial" parent. The other parent is the "non-custodial" parent.
• The child must be under age 13 when the care was provided.
• You must have paid the child care expenses in order for you to be able to work or look for work.
• The person you paid must not be a dependent of yours (such as another child) -- although if your child is over age 18 and is not a dependent, a child can be the person you paid.
• You must have paid more than half the cost of keeping up the home where you live with the child. Click here for the meaning of "keeping up the home."
• You may not file your tax return with the filing status "married filing separately." However, filing statuses of "single" or "head of household" are fine.

There is also a requirement for earned income, but the Calculator checks that requirement automatically based on your entries in the Wages and Self-Employment Income lines.

Also, the credit is reduced or eliminated at higher incomes. This Calculator automatically calculates that reduction.

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