Iowa Child and Dependent Care Credit
The Iowa Child and Dependent Care Credit is a refundable credit available to taxpayers who incur expenses for the care of a qualifying child or dependent to enable them to work or look for work. This credit is claimed on Form IA 1040, line 24.
Eligibility Criteria
- Taxpayers must have net income under $45,000 to claim either the Child and Dependent Care Credit or the Early Childhood Development Credit.
- Married couples must combine their net incomes to determine eligibility.
- Only the parent claiming the dependent on their federal return may claim the credit.
- For nonresidents and part-year residents, the credit is adjusted based on Iowa-source net income using the formula: (Iowa-source net income / total net income) × total credit allowed.
Credit Amounts
- Child and Dependent Care Credit: Available for qualifying expenses for children under age 13 or other dependents.
- Early Childhood Development Credit: 25% of the first $1,000 in qualifying expenses for each dependent aged 3 to 5.
- Both credits are refundable, meaning taxpayers can receive a refund even if they owe no state tax.
Filing Instructions
To claim the credit, taxpayers must complete Form IA 1040. The credit is entered on line 24 of the form. For married couples filing separately, only the spouse claiming the dependent may claim the credit. The $90,000 income limitation (if applicable) does not include the non-claiming spouse’s income.
How to Add in OLT Software
When filing your Iowa state tax return using OLT (Online Taxes) software:
- From within your tax return (Online), click on "State" in the left menu (or tap the three dots in the top-right corner for mobile devices).
- Click "Start or Revisit Iowa state."
- Under the "Credits" section, select "IA 1040 - Individual Income Tax Return" or "Child and Dependent Care Credit" as applicable.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete and save your return.
Source:
FAQ.pdf - Iowa State Tax Forms
Form IA 1040 - Individual Income Tax Return
Disclaimer: Always verify details with official Federal or State Department of Revenue Forms and Instructions.