If your child has attended a day camp, you’ve likely already witnessed its benefits. But did you know sending your kid to camp benefits you come tax season? You can claim day camps, including sports and specialty camps, as a Child and Dependent Care Credit on taxes, says Cyndy Kimberling, a certified public accountant (CPA) at Kimberling, McFarland and Associates, P.C. in Fort Worth. Overnight camps, however, cannot be claimed. Here’s more of what you need to know about claiming summer camps on your 2025 taxes.
What is the Child and Dependent Care Credit?
The Child and Dependent Care Credit gives parents who paid for childcare expenses in 2025 a tax credit. If you paid for day camp, a babysitter or a traditional childcare center to care for your kids under 13, you’re likely eligible for a credit of up to 35% of:
- $3,000 in qualifying expenses for one child or dependents
- $6,000 in qualifying expenses for two or more children or dependents
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How much is the credit worth?
The specific percentage depends on your adjusted gross income (AGI)—essentially your income minus certain deductions like IRA contributions, educator expenses and student loan interest (line 11 of your tax return). The higher your income, the smaller your credit.
- If your AGI is $15,000 or less, you’ll get a credit of 35%, which is $1,050 for one child and $2,100 for two or more.
- If your AGI is $43,000 or more, you’ll get a credit of 20%, which is $600 for one child and $1,200 for two or more.
If you owe federal taxes, the credit will lower your tax bill. And because it’s a refundable credit, not a deduction, you can still benefit even if you owe little or no taxes. If the credit exceeds what you owe, or you don’t owe anything at all, the remaining amount will be sent to you as a refund, Kimberling says. To clarify the difference: a credit reduces the amount of tax you owe, while a deduction reduces the amount of income that gets taxed in the first place.
Who is eligible for Child and Dependent Care Credit?
Married parents filing jointly are eligible to claim the Child and Dependent Care Credit if they meet the following requirements:
- You and your spouse have earned income for the tax year.
- You’re both either working, looking for a job or in school full-time (for at least five months in the tax year).
- Payments you’re claiming can’t have been made to a dependent, your child under the age of 19 even if they aren’t your dependent, your spouse, or your child’s parent (if you’re divorced or separated).
- Your child or dependent is under the age of 13. If your child turns 13 in the middle of the year, you can only claim the childcare expenses prior to their birthday. (However, there is no age limit if they are mentally or physically unable to care for themselves.)
Texas is a community property state, which means if a married couple files separately, they each have to claim half of their income and half of their spouse’s income on their taxes, according to Kimberling. As such, she strongly advises married couples to file jointly, plus a couple’s tax is usually less when filing jointly, according to the IRS. Because every family is different, there are a few special circumstances.
Special situations the IRS accounts for
- Parents who are divorced or never married: The parent who has custody can claim the child as a dependent and claim the Child and Dependent Care Credit. If the parents share custody and the child was with each parent for equal nights in the year, the parent with the higher adjusted gross income is considered the custodial parent and can claim the childcare credit.
- Parents who are married but living separately: If they were separated for the last 6 months of 2025, whichever parent the child lived with can claim head of household and the childcare tax credit.
- Families where one parent is disabled: If your spouse can’t mentally or physically care for themselves, they are not required to have earned income.
If you’re unsure whether you’re eligible to claim the Child and Dependent Care Credit, talk to a local tax expert or use the IRS’s Interactive Tax Assistant.
How do I claim summer camp on my taxes?
Before you sit down to file your taxes or work with a tax expert, there are a few pieces of information you’ll need to gather to fill out Form 2441, the Child and Dependent Care Expenses form. For each childcare provider, you’ll need:
- The provider or business’ name
- The provider’s address
- The provider’s social security number (SSN) or employer identification number (EIN)
- The amount paid for childcare
You’ll also need to provide your children’s first and last names, social security numbers, and qualified expenses you paid for each child.
One Last Tip to Reduce Taxes with Summer Camp Expenses
If your employer offers a dependent care assistance program, enrolling is one of the best things you can do, Kimberling says. Employees who enroll can withhold up to $5,000 per year from their paycheck pre-tax, which reduces their taxable income.
Many of these programs require you to pay out of pocket for qualifying childcare expenses, like day camp in the summer, and submit a reimbursement. That reimbursed amount comes back to you tax-free, according to Kimberling. Just keep in mind: if you choose to use this program to pay for qualifying expenses, you can’t also claim those same expenses for the Child and Dependent Care Credit.
Taxes can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. A chat with a local tax professional can give you peace of mind—and maybe a bigger refund.
The Bottom Line
- Day camps count—but overnight camps don’t. Only day camps qualify for the Child and Dependent Care Credit.
- Parents may receive up to $600–$2,100 depending on their income and number of children.
- Keep camp records. You’ll need the provider’s name, address and EIN or SSN to claim the credit.
