Publication 503 - Child and Dependent Care Expenses

Publication 503 Child and Dependent Expenses is a document explains the tests that must be met to claim the credit for child and dependent care expenses. The publication provides information on how to figure and claim the credit, as well as details on who qualifies and what expenses are covered. The child and dependent care credit is a tax credit designed to help working parents or caregivers cover the cost of qualified care expenses for a child under 13, a spouse or parent unable to care for themselves, or another dependent. To claim the credit, the taxpayer must have earned income throughout the year and have paid for care expenses so that they could work or seek employment. The credit is nonrefundable, meaning it can only be used to reduce the amount of taxes owed and cannot result in a refund.