Shaheen pushes childcare tax credit increase

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) called on Congress to increase the childcare tax credit.

“Making child care affordable isn’t just about helping New Hampshire families make ends meet, but it’s about strengthening our economy too,” Shaheen said Wednesday. “My plan to update the child care tax credit is something working families and our economy really need and I hope we can act on it soon.”

{mosads}Shaheen, who faces a tough reelection, is a lead sponsor of the Helping Working Families Afford Child Care Act, which would increase the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC) to 20 percent of childcare expenses up to $8,000 per child. The current maximum CDCTC is $3,000 per child.

Shaheen said her bill would also index the credit to inflation so that parents don’t have to worry about their children while they’re at work.

“Any parent can tell you that knowing their children are safe while they are at work is essential to being a productive employee,” Shaheen said.