Tax Credits and Deductions Parents Need to Know
File for less and get more.
Your max tax refund is guaranteed.
Updated for tax year 2022.
Your little bundle of joy may tap into your pocketbook throughout the year, but at tax time they can help put some money back into your pockets.
And the more children you have, the bigger your tax savings. Uncle Sam offers several family-oriented tax benefits. Determining which ones you qualify for can be confusing because of the rules around filing status, itemized deductions, and income levels.
Whether you do your own taxes or hire a professional, it’s good to have a general idea of which tax breaks are available. If you don’t qualify this year, you may in the future.
Here are several popular tax credits and deductions for families:
Earned Income Tax Credit
Every year, millions of taxpayers don’t claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) even though they qualify for it.
Families earning less than $59,187 in 2022 may receive this credit worth up to $6,935, depending on income level and the number of qualifying children.
Initially, the credit eliminates the amount of taxes owed. The remaining amount is sent as a refund. Married taxpayers must file joint returns for eligibility.
Child & Dependent Care Credit
If you pay for the care of children under 13 years of age so you (and your spouse) can work, search for a job, or attend school, you may be eligible for the Child & Dependent Care Credit.
Examples of care include nursery school, pre-school, before and after school care, day camps (no overnight), and in-home nanny care. The tax credit is worth up to 35 percent of your expenses, depending on your adjusted gross income, and up to $3,000 for one dependent or $6,000 for two or more dependents. It phases out at higher income levels.
Child Tax Credit
The Child Tax Credit is worth up to $1,000 per qualifying child if your 2017 modified adjusted gross income (AGI) is less than $110,000 on joint returns, $55,000 on married filing separate returns, or $75,000 for other filing statuses.
If you receive less than the full amount because the credit eliminates your tax bill, you may qualify for the refundable Additional Child Tax Credit.
Medical and dental expenses
If your family’s unreimbursed medical and dental expenses in 2022 exceed 7.5 percent of AGI, you can claim the amount above 7.5 percent as an itemized deduction.
Expenses must be for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, or treatment.
Premiums for medical, dental, and some long-term care insurance, and transportation costs primarily for and essential to medical care may also qualify. Only prescription medication and insulin are eligible.
Adoption Credit
The Adoption Credit will cover up to $14,890 in adoption expenses for 2022 depending on your income.
Expenses include court costs, adoption agency fees, attorney fees, and travel. The credit is non-refundable for 2022, which means it is limited to your tax liability for the year. Your return and adoption-related documents must be mailed to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Qualified tuition programs and Coverdell Education Savings Accounts
Some education savings plans offer tax benefits.
A portion of distributions and earnings from Qualified Tuition Programs and Coverdell Education Savings Accounts for education expenses are generally tax-free.
Plus, up to $2,000 in annual contributions to Coverdell Savings Accounts are tax-free depending on your income level.
Student loan interest deduction
Have children in college? If you claim them as a dependent, you may qualify for the student loan interest deduction, American Opportunity Credit, or Lifetime Learning Credit.
More to explore:
File for less and get more.
Your max tax refund is guaranteed.
