Child Care Credit in Washington
Washington state has no personal income tax, so residents focus entirely on the federal Child and Dependent Care Credit when filing their 2025 returns. This federal credit offsets a portion of qualifying expenses paid for the care of a child under 13 or another qualifying dependent while the taxpayer is employed or job searching.
Washington families can also benefit from the federal Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit, which together with the Child and Dependent Care Credit can meaningfully reduce overall federal tax liability. High childcare costs in the Seattle metro area and other urban centers make maximizing these federal credits especially important.
Claiming the credit requires the care provider's name, address, and Employer Identification Number or Social Security Number. Taxpayers should retain all payment records and request year-end summaries from daycare providers or nanny agencies before filing their 2025 federal return.