How to Get Help With Child Care Costs

Many of us are faced with a dilemma when we have children. Two incomes are almost necessary to keep families running, but most parents must work outside the home, making child care cost an added headache. However, some families may very well be eligible to get government subsidized child care. If you are not eligible, there are other ways to cut costs.

Things You'll Need

  • Tax Forms
  • Income Records

Instructions

  1. Getting Help With Day Care Costs

    • 1

      Find out if your state offers subsidies before you proceed. It is quite a bit of paperwork and would be messy if it was all for naught. Currently, 28 states offer help with child care, but to qualify you must fill out several forms.

    • 2

      See if you qualify for the EITC, or Earned Income Tax Credit. Families with one child and who earn under $34,000 a year (or $32,000 a year for a single person), are eligible for a $2,747 tax credit. Families with two or more children and who earn under $36,348 a year ($38,348 for a couple), are eligible for a $4,500 tax credit. A 1040 or 1040A form must be filled out and an IRS W-5 form must be given to the employer. The person filing must be employed some or all of the year to be eligible. The tax credit does not get higher depending on the amount of children you have. For example, a family with two children and a family with five children can both only receive the maximum of $4,500.

    • 3

      Fill out form 1040 or 1040A and form 8812. If you have an income of more than $11,300, each child under 17 will qualify for a $1,000 tax credit.

    • 4

      Figure out if you are eligible for Child Care Tax Credit. This program lets you claim up to $3,000 in child care costs if having child care is crucial for you to maintain or look for a job. The qualifying children must be under 13 and typically you will pay the child care out of pocket and then be reimbursed. You will need to fill out form 1040 and 2441, or 1040A and Schedule 2.

    • 5

      Reduce hours at work if the above is not possible. Try looking on craigslist or at the local college for someone to help you a couple of days a week.

    • 6

      Ask a neighbor with children to help out. In exchange, you could watch their children on "date night," or do chores for them.

    • 7

      Find out if your employer offers a Flexible Spending Account. This will help you set aside some of your paycheck for child care.

    • 8

      Call your local church, mosque or temple. Many offer child care and sometimes it can come at a reduced rate to members.

    • 9

      Find an after school program your older child might enjoy. You can opt to pay a babysitter to take him to the program and pick him up, or you can ask your employer if you can take your lunch break later so you can take your child to his program.

    2. Previous:

    Next:

    • Telling Your Caretaker How to Take Care of Your Kids
      As much as you might want to always keep your children under your supervision, the day is likely to come when you need to leave them under someone elses watchful eye. Whether your chosen caretaker is a local teenager just starting out or the living e
    • How to Put Children to Bed While Babysitting
      Babysitters, in a sense, run the house when the parents are gone. In many instances, that includes getting the children ready for bed. Bedtime is different for each family and, specifically, for each child. When you babysit, know what to expect befor
    • Characteristics & Traits for a Child Care Worker
      Almost everyone who works and has children too young to attend school--or school-aged children who need care before and after school--uses some type of childcare. If you are looking for a childcare worker to care for your children, youll want to be s