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House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	September 23, 2021 12:34 PM
From:	Representative Melissa L. Shusterman
To:	All House members
Subject:	Pennsylvania Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has not just affected the health and well-being of Americans, but their financial well-being as well. Fortunately, more and more people are getting vaccinated, which means more offices are opening back up to allow in-person work. However, this also means that families will once again need to rely on childcare. The average cost of childcare in Pennsylvania is $11,842 per year, or $987 a month. To put this in greater perspective, childcare costs 8.1 percent more than the average rent and only costs 18.5 percent less than in-state tuition for a four-year public college.   There is a federal child and dependent care tax credit, but Pennsylvania is one of 19 states that does not offer tax credits for child or dependent care. In the wake of a financially damaging pandemic, we need to do more to help families get back on track. To provide for our hard-working families, my legislation would create a Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit in Pennsylvania. To be eligible, taxpayers must already qualify for the federal tax credit. Taxpayers with one qualifying individual would receive $350 in tax credits, while taxpayers with two or more qualifying individuals would receive $700 in tax credits.   Please join me in co-sponsoring this common-sense legislation for families across Pennsylvania.

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