Common Tax Credits
When it comes to filing your individual income tax return there are some tax credits that are more commonly used more than others. The three most popular or commonly used tax credits are the earned income tax credit, child tax credit, and dependent child care credit. These three credits are used more often by taxpayers more than any other credit. The one thing that these credit have in common and why they are so widely used is because they involve children. The following is a more detailed analysis of each of these tax credits.
Earned Income Tax Credit
This credit is used by low income taxpayers. It is one of the few credits in the tax code that is a refundable credit which means that you do not have to incur any income tax in order to take the credit. As previously mentioned it is geared towards low income taxpayers and in most cases these taxpayers must have dependent children and have earned income. You may also claim the credit if you have no qualifying children and you are between the ages of 25 and 65 and cannot be claimed as a dependent on another taxpayer’s tax return. In addition, if you have investment income or unearned income that exceeds $3,350 for 2014 then you cannot claim the credit. Every year this credit is closely scrutinized by the IRS so when this credit is claimed on the tax return you must be certain that all requirements are met to take this credit.
Child Tax Credit
This credit is for taxpayer’s who can claim a dependent child on their tax return. The requirements are as follows:
- You must have a dependent child
- The child must be less than 17 years old by the end of the tax year
- The child cannot be claimed by somebody else
- To get the full tax credit your AGI must be less than $110,000 if you file married filing joint or $75,000 if you are filing single. Once your income exceeds these thresholds then the credit will be phased out
The child tax credit for 2014 is $1,000 per child. The credit can be refundable if certain conditions are met.
Dependent Care Credit
This credit is a nonrefundable credit that is allowed for portion of expenses paid for daycare for a qualifying child. In order to obtain this credit the requirements are as follows:
- Must be a dependent of the taxpayer and must be under the age of 13
- Can be a dependent of the taxpayer who is either a qualifying child or qualifying relative and be physically unable to care for her or himself. (No age limit)
- Can be that be taxpayer’s spouse if the spouse is physically unable to care for him or herself. (No age limit)
- The taxpayer must have earned income
- Maximum amount of expenses that can be applied is $3,000 per child
- The credit is then calculated based on taxpayer’s AGI and the applicable percentage applied towards the expense. The credit can range anywhere between 20% to 35% of qualifying expenses based on taxpayer’s AGI
- The expenses must be for daycare or dependent care expenses only. They cannot be in the form of tuition or pre-school expenses