GROCO

Skip Navigation Links

2010 Dependent Care, Education and Child Credits

2010/2011 Tax Rate Guide
2010 Filing Requirements
2010 Tax Deductions and Exemptions
2010 Earned Income Credit
2010 Dependent Care, Education and Child Credits
2010 Miscellaneous Limitations
2010 MACRS Recovery Periods
2010 Annual Financial Planning Limits

DEPENDENT CARE CREDIT LIMITATIONS
To determine the amount of your credit, multiply your work-related expenses (after applying the earned income and dollar limits) by a percentage. This percentage depends on your adjusted gross income shown on form 1040, line 37, or Form 1040A, line 21. The following table shows the percentage to use based on adjusted gross income. The maximum eligible to be multiplied by these percentages is $3,000 per child, maximum of $6,000 per return.
IF YOUR ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME IS: THEN THE
PERCENTAGE IS:
OVER: BUT NOT OVER:
$0 15,000 35%
15,000 17,000 34%
17,000 19,000 33%
19,000 21,000 32%
21,000 23,000 31%
23,000 25,000 30%
25,000 27,000 29%
27,000 29,000 28%
29,000 31,000 27%
31,000 33,000 26%
33,000 35,000 25%
35,000 37,000 24%
37,000 39,000 23%
39,000 41,000 22%
41,000 43,000 21%
43,000 No limit 20%

 

COMPARISON OF EDUCATION CREDITS
AMERICAN OPPORTUNITY CREDIT LIFETIME LEARNING CREDIT
Up to $2,500 Up to $2,000
100% of the first $2,000 of qualified expenses
25% of the second $2,000 of qualified expenses
20% of the amount of qualified expenses paid of the first $10,000
Can be claimed for the first 4 years of postsecondary education Available for an unlimited number of years- does not vary based on the number of eligible students in the taxpayer's family
Student must be enrolled at least half time for at least one academic period beginning during the year Eligible if student is enrolled in one or more courses at a qualified educational institution
Must be pursuing an undergraduate degree or other recognized educational credential Student does not need to be pursuing a degree or other recognized educational credential
No felony drug conviction on student's record Felony drug conviction rule does not apply
40% of the credit is refundable  
Note: If a student attended an educational institution located in a Midwest disaster area, they can choose to claim the Hope credit under the previous rules (ie. 2008 rules), but then they must use the previouse rules for all the students for whom you claim the credit.

 

EDUCATIONAL CREDITS
  AMERICAN LIFETIME
Married filing jointly $180,000 $120,000
All other filing statuses $90,000 $60,000

 

QUALIFYING CHILD FOR CHILD TAX CREDIT
A qualifying child for purposes of the child tax credit must be all of the following:
  1. Claimed as your dependent on line 6c of Form 1040 or Form 1040A.
  2. Under age 17 at the end of 2009.
  3. Is your:
    1. Son, daughter, adopted child, stepchild, or a descendant of any of them (for example, your grandchild), or
    2. Brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, or a descendant of any of them (for example, your niece or nephew) whom you cared for as you would your own child, or
    3. Foster child (any child placed with you by an authorized placement agency whom you cared for as you would your own child).
  4. A U.S. citizen or resident alien.

Adopted child. An adopted child is always treated as your own child. An adopted child includes a child placed with you by an authorized placement agency for legal adoption even if the adoption is not final.

Kidnapped child. A kidnapped child is treated as a qualifying child for the child tax credit if both of the following statements are true:

  1. The child is presumed by law enforcement authorities to have been kidnapped by someone who is not a member of your family or the child's family.
  2. The child qualified as your dependent for the part of the year before the kidnapping.

This treatment applies for all years until the child is returned. However, the last year this treatment can apply is the earlier of:

  1. The year there is a determination that the child is dead, or
  2. The year the child would have reached age 16.

 

ADOPTION CREDIT
Maximum credit for a child with special needs $13,170
Other adoptions, qualified expenses Up to $13,170
Phaseout range, modified adjusted gross income $182,520 - $222,520
Note: The Adoption Credit is not available for married couples filing separate returns; therefore, the adjusted gross income does not apply.




Contact Us
39159 Paseo Padre
Pkwy, Suite 315
Fremont, CA 94538
510.797.8661
510.797.1791 (Fax)
Newsletter Signup!

For weekly tax and wealth building tips!
Email:

Recognitions
Find out what the experts are saying about our firm.
In The News
Get the scoop on what's new at GROCO.
Careers
You'll love it here!
Video
Protecting your family's welfare is a sacred trust.
Brochure
Discover why many successful high networth individuals put their trust in GROCO®.
Loading
Follow Us
Facebook Twitter Linked In You Tube Tax Ninja Tax Ninja
 
Copyright © 2012. All rights reserved.
Toll-Free: 1-877-CPA-2006
Tel: 510-797-8661
Fax: 510-797-1791


Fremont * Palo Alto * San Francisco
GROCO.COM ® * Site Map * Terms of Use * Privacy Policy * Become a Link Partner * Employee Login