CA 3506 - Child And Dependent Care Expenses Credit
The California Form FTB 3506 allows eligible taxpayers to claim the Child and Dependent Care Expenses Credit on their California state tax return. This nonrefundable credit helps offset the cost of care for qualifying dependents while the taxpayer works or looks for employment.
Eligibility Requirements
- Must have earned income (from work or job search).
- Must have paid for care in California for a qualifying person (child under 13, or other dependent).
- Only care provided in California qualifies for the credit.
- Both parents cannot claim the credit for the same child unless custody agreements specify otherwise.
How to Claim the Credit
Complete Form FTB 3506 and attach it to your California Form 540 (Resident) or Form 540NR (Nonresident/Part-Year Resident). The form includes several parts:
- Part I: Report unearned income or other funds received in 2025 that were used to support your household (e.g., child support, pensions, unemployment).
- Part II: Provide details of each person or organization that provided care in California, including name, SSN/ITIN, and amount paid.
- Part III: Calculate the credit based on qualified expenses and income levels.
- Part IV: Report dependent care benefits received (shown in Box 10 of federal Form W-2).
Qualified Expenses
Qualified expenses include payments made for care of a qualifying person while you worked or looked for work. These must be paid in California. Examples include:
- Daycare services
- Nanny or babysitter fees
- After-school programs
Do not include expenses for children over 13 unless they are disabled or meet other qualifying criteria. Also, do not reduce the amount by any reimbursements received.
Income Limits and Credit Calculation
The credit is based on your federal and California adjusted gross income (AGI). The credit percentage decreases as income increases. The maximum qualified expenses are $3,000 for one qualifying person and $6,000 for two or more.
Special Considerations
- If you paid for 2024 expenses in 2025 and did not claim the full credit in 2024, you may be able to increase your 2025 credit using the worksheet on Side 2 of Form FTB 3506.
- If you received dependent care benefits (e.g., from an employer), you must report them on line 13 of Form FTB 3506.
- For additional guidance, refer to federal Form 2441 or Publication 503 (Child and Dependent Care Expenses).
Filing Instructions
To file using Online Taxes (OLT) software:
- Go to your tax return and select "State" from the left menu.
- Start or revisit California State return.
- Under Credits, select "Start or Edit" for CA 3506 - Child And Dependent Care Expenses Credit.
- Follow on-screen instructions to complete the form.
Source:
Form FTB 3506 Instructions
Disclaimer: Always verify details with official Federal or State Department of Revenue Forms and Instructions.