Child Care Expense Deduction Calculator
Find the amount that may reach line 21400—and which of the three main limits stops the claim.
Estimated deduction
$13,000Limited by child limits
Estimated tax saving
$3,900Deduction × entered marginal rate
Per-child combined limit
$13,000Earned-income limit: $30,000
The lower-income spouse generally claims the deduction. Higher-income spouse exceptions, boarding-school and camp weekly caps, and shared-custody allocations require Form T778 review.
What this estimate includes
Eligible expenses must allow a parent to work, run a business, attend school or conduct qualifying research. Keep receipts with the provider’s identifying information.
Questions this calculator answers
Who normally claims child care expenses?
The lower-income spouse or common-law partner generally claims them, subject to specific exceptions on Form T778.
What are the annual per-child limits?
The general limits are $8,000 for a child under 7, $5,000 for a child age 7 to 16, and $11,000 for a child eligible for the disability tax credit.