If you’re a parent and you have to work, there a pretty good chance you have to pay for the care of your child during working hours. This can get pretty expensive, but thankfully there is a tax credit that can help offset the cost of childcare services. The Child and Dependent Care Credit is available to working parents who pay for childcare. The IRS lists the following ten facts about the credit that you need to know to take full advantage of it:

1. If you pay someone to take care of your child, dependent adult, or disabled spouse in the past tax year, you may qualify.
2. You have to prove that the care was necessary and provided so you could obtain work or during hours you were scheduled to work. This applies to your spouse as well, if you are filing together.
3. In order for a dependent to qualify, they must be a child under 13 years of age, or a spouse or adult dependent who is incapable of self-care, whether mentally or physically. Additionally, they have to have resided in your home for over half of the year.
4. While there are special rules for spouses who are disabled or students, if you file jointly with your spouse you must have earned income in order to qualify. IF you file single, you’ll need proof of wages.
5. You cannot claim expenses that you paid to your spouse, a child under 19 (even if the child isn’t your dependent), or to the parent of a qualifying person or dependent, for car of a child.
6. The tax credit can offset up to 35% of costs for care, and is dependent on your total income. The threshold is $3,000 per qualifying person, with up to $6,000 for two or more dependents.
7. If you receive benefits for dependent care through an employer, there are additional rules. Refer to Form 2441, Child and Dependent Care Expenses for more information.
8. You are required to give the Social Security number of the person who qualifies for the credit.
9. You’ll also have to supply the name, address, and telephone number of the business or person who provided care in order to claim the credit. Usually, a Social Security number for an individual or a business’s Employer Identification Number will suffice.
10. In order to claim the credit, you’ll have to file Form 2441 in addition to your tax return. If you e-file your taxes, most software programs will do it for you.