Child Care Credit In Florida
The federal Child and Dependent Care Credit allows working parents in Florida to offset a portion of childcare costs in 2025. The credit applies to expenses paid for the care of a child under age 13 and is calculated as a percentage of qualifying expenses up to $3,000 for one child or $6,000 for two or more. The credit is nonrefundable at the federal level, meaning it can reduce tax owed but not below zero.
Florida does not have a state income tax, so there is no Florida state child care credit. Florida families must rely solely on the federal credit to recover childcare costs through the tax system. This is an important consideration for parents budgeting for childcare in high-cost metro areas like Miami, Orlando, and Tampa.
To claim the federal credit, Florida filers must provide the care provider's name, address, and either a Social Security number or employer identification number. Both parents in a two-parent household generally must have earned income during the year, or one must be a full-time student or disabled. Keeping payment records and provider information organized throughout the year ensures the credit can be claimed accurately when filing.