Child and Dependent Care Credit Calculator (2026)
The Child and Dependent Care Credit offsets part of what you pay for care so you can work. The One Big Beautiful Bill raised the 2026 top rate to 50% and widened the 35% band — this calculator applies the new rules to your situation.
How to use this calculator
- Enter qualified care expenses this year.
- Enter number of qualifying dependents.
- Enter adjusted gross income (AGI).
- Enter filing status.
- Your results appear instantly below and update as you change the numbers.
How this calculator works
The credit applies to up to $3,000 of care expenses for one dependent or $6,000 for two or more. Under the 2026 rules the rate is 50% for AGI under $15,000, drops one percentage point for each $2,000 of income above that to a 35% floor, holds at 35% through $75,000 ($150,000 joint), then falls to the 20% floor. The result is capped by your earned income and tax liability because the credit is nonrefundable.
Frequently asked questions
What care expenses qualify?
Care that lets you work — a nanny, day care, preschool, or day camp for a child under 13, or daytime care for a disabled spouse or dependent. School tuition for kindergarten and above and overnight camp do not qualify, and you cannot pay your spouse, the child's other parent, or a dependent you claim.
How is the 2026 credit different from before?
OBBBA raised the top rate from 35% to 50% and stretched the 35% band through $75,000 AGI ($150,000 joint) before it steps down to the 20% floor — so a two-earner couple at $120,000 now gets 35% instead of the old 20%.
Can I use a Dependent Care FSA and still claim the credit?
Not on the same dollars. Every dollar you run through a Dependent Care FSA reduces the $3,000 / $6,000 expense base for the credit. The 2026 FSA limit is $7,500, so maxing the FSA usually eliminates the credit — compare your marginal rate plus payroll tax against your credit rate first.
Disclaimer: Results are estimates for general information only and do not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Figures reflect 2026 rules and may change. Always confirm current limits and consult a qualified professional before making decisions. Official figures: IRS.gov · 2026 limits per IRS tax inflation adjustments.