Section 45F Child Care Tax Credit by State

Current for 2026 Tax Year • Last Updated: January 24, 2026

Many states offer their own employer child care tax credits that stack with the federal Section 45F credit. Find your state below to see available incentives, specific legislation, and calculate your combined savings.

Federal 45F: 40-50%
+ State Credit: Up to 100%
= Combined Savings

Example: In Alabama, a small business can claim 50% federal (45F) + 100% state (HB 358) = up to 150% in combined credits on qualified child care expenses.

Select Your State

Click any state to view detailed legislation, credit rates, and stacking strategies.

AL Alabama
HB 358 (100% Credit)

Massive new 100% tax credit (capped at $600k) for employers who open on-site centers or stipend employees. Effective Jan 2025.

AK Alaska
Federal Only + Grants

Federal 45F is the primary tax lever. State offers robust Child Care Grant Program (CCGP) for non-profits and coalitions.

AZ Arizona
Empowerment Scholarships

Utilize the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) for Pre-K expenses + Federal 45F for wrap-around care.

AR Arkansas
30% State Credit

Early Childhood Education Credit: 3.9% of payroll OR 30% of direct costs for operating an on-site facility.

CA California
CA Competes (Negotiable)

No direct 45F copy, but child care investments can be used to negotiate 'California Competes' tax credits with GO-Biz.

CO Colorado
50% Refundable Credit

The Gold Standard. A 50% refundable contribution credit (up to $100k) that stacks with Federal 45F for a near-zero cost basis.

CT Connecticut
25% Human Capital

Human Capital Investment Credit: 25% credit for child care subsidies and facility construction.

DE Delaware
50% State Credit

New 50% employer credit (capped at $100k) for securing slots or operating a facility. Stacks perfectly with 45F.

DC District of Columbia
DC Health Grants

OSSE Capital Quality Grants available for facility expansion. Federal 45F applies to local DC tax liability.

FL Florida
50% Tax Credit

New Child Care Tax Credit (HB 7073): 50% of startup costs and annual payments for employee child care.

GA Georgia
100% Tax Credit

HB 1010 expanded the credit to 100% of qualified costs (up to $1M/year) for operating or building facilities.

HI Hawaii
Preschool Open Doors

Stack Federal 45F with 'Preschool Open Doors' subsidies to cover nearly 100% of costs for eligible employees.

ID Idaho
Expansion Grants

Workforce Development Council offers Child Care Expansion Grants ($15k/seat) to build capacity.

IL Illinois
30% State Credit

30% credit for startup costs + 5% of annual operating expenses for on-site facilities.

IN Indiana
50% State Credit

Employer Child Care Expenditure Credit: 50% of costs to build or operate a center (capped at $100k).

IA Iowa
25% State Credit

Employer Child Care Tax Credit: 25% of qualified expenditures, matching the Federal 45F definitions.

KS Kansas
30-50% State Credit

Day Care Facilities Credit: 30% for purchasing care, 50% for establishing a facility (Refundable).

KY Kentucky
100% Cash Match

ECCAP Program: State matches employer child care contributions 100% (Dollar-for-Dollar). Best in class.

LA Louisiana
50% Refundable

School Readiness Tax Credit: Up to $50,000 refundable credit for businesses based on the 'Star Rating' of the center.

ME Maine
Infrastructure Grants

Child Care Infrastructure Grant Program offers substantial funding for new construction. Stacks with Federal 45F.

MD Maryland
30% State Credit

Employer Child Care Tax Credit: 30% of start-up costs (up to $150k) for on-site centers.

MA Massachusetts
C3 Grants

Commonwealth C3 Grants provide monthly operational funding. Employers should partner with C3-eligible centers.

MI Michigan
Tri-Share Pilot

Tri-Share: Costs split 33% Employer, 33% Employee, 33% State. Massive ROI for businesses.

MN Minnesota
DEED Grants

DEED Child Care Economic Development Grants provide up to $300k for community/employer projects.

MS Mississippi
50% State Credit

Employer Tax Credit: 50% of qualified expenses for providing dependent care. 5-year carryforward.

MO Missouri
30% State Credit

Child Care Contribution Tax Credit: 30% credit for contributions to providers or purchasing slots.

MT Montana
30% State Credit

30% credit for dependent care assistance + Best Beginnings Scholarship stacking.

NE Nebraska
LB 754 (75% Credit)

Massive new non-refundable credit: 50-75% of costs for establishing or operating a center.

NV Nevada
Silver State Grants

No income tax. Focus on 'Silver State' Opportunity Grants for construction and expansion.

NH New Hampshire
Granite Steps

Granite Steps for Quality provides state matching funds. No state income tax = Federal 45F focus.

NJ New Jersey
NJEDA Grants

Child Care Facilities Improvement Program: Grants covering 100% of renovation costs (up to $200k).

NM New Mexico
30% State Credit

Child Care Facility Credit: 30% of operating costs for on-site or contracted care.

NY New York
200% Expansion Credit

New 'Child Care Creation & Expansion Credit' offers significantly higher caps than the legacy Empire credit.

NC North Carolina
Tri-Share (Active)

New 'Tri-Share' pilot in all 100 counties. Employer pays 33%, State pays 33%, Employee pays 33%.

ND North Dakota
WPCCR Match

Working Parents Child Care Relief: State matches employer contributions. Plus 50% Tax Credit.

OH Ohio
Child Care Cred

Cost-Sharing Program: Employer pays 40%, Employee pays 40%, State pays 20%.

OK Oklahoma
30% State Credit

New 30% credit (HB 4147) for reserving slots or providing stipends (capped at $30k/year).

OR Oregon
50% State Credit

Employer Child Care Credit: 50% of costs (up to $100k) for community-facing or on-site centers.

PA Pennsylvania
EITC (90% Credit)

Educational Improvement Tax Credit: 90% to 100% tax credit for contributing to Pre-K Scholarship Organizations.

RI Rhode Island
30% State Credit

30% credit (up to $30k) for purchasing services or building on-site care.

SC South Carolina
50% + Tri-Share

50% Startup/Operating Credit ($3k cap) + New Tri-Share Pilot (33/33/33 Split) pending launch.

SD South Dakota
GOED Grants

No income tax. Employers should partner with EDCs to access 'Community Based Child Care Grants'.

TN Tennessee
Establishment Grants

DHS Establishment Grant pays up to $1,000 per new slot created. Stacks with Federal 45F.

TX Texas
100% Property Tax Cut

Prop 2 (SB 1145) allows 100% Property Tax Exemption for centers. Plus local Tri-Share pilots.

UT Utah
Innovation Grants

Private Sector Innovation (ALPLA Model) + Office of Economic Opportunity grants.

VT Vermont
Payroll Tax / CCFAP

Employers pay 0.44% Payroll Tax. Strategy: Maximize employee enrollment in state-funded CCFAP subsidy.

VA Virginia
65% Scholarship Credit

EISTC Credit: 65% state tax credit for donating to Pre-K scholarships. (Old 'Enterprise Zone' credit is dormant).

WA Washington
Commerce Grants

Child Care Partnership Grants available from Dept of Commerce. B&O Tax Credit pending legislation.

WV West Virginia
50% Credit + Tri-Share

New 50% Employer Tax Credit (HB 226) + Active Tri-Share Pilot (33/33/33 Split).

WI Wisconsin
Partner Up! Grants

Project Growth 'Partner Up!' grants cover up to 75% of slot costs. Federal 45F for the rest.

WY Wyoming
Workforce Training

No income tax. Utilize Workforce Development Training Funds to upskill staff into child care roles.

U.S. Territories

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