Washington, D.C. The average cost of daycare for children up to age
four has climbed to $9,589 annually, more than the average cost of
state college tuition. For families earning the national median
income, the average cost of care for just one child under five amounts
to 18 percent of their income, and for families in lower income
brackets, child care alone could cost as much as two-thirds of their
pay. With child care expenses growing more rapidly than inflation, and
income gains remaining relatively modest, it is likely that child care
will continue to place a major financial burden on American families,
especially those with average and lower incomes.

Congressman Davis stated, "Most young children in the U.S. have
parents who work outside the home.  For single mothers and fathers the
need is especially acute.  When families cannot afford child care the
alternatives are use of unlicenced, substandard care or lost family
income due to family members dropping out of the labor market.  Both
options are detrimental to the well-being of children, to families,
and to communities.  This legislation helps make quality child care
available to every family."

Congresswoman DelBene stated, “I often hear from constituents
struggling with the rising cost of child care - some even deciding to
leave the workforce because the costs exceed their wages. We
absolutely must update and improve our tax code to help these working
families. That's why I've joined Congressman Davis in introducing
legislation to expand the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit, which
helps grow our middle class. This important measure would provide much
needed tax relief and should be included in any comprehensive tax
reform package.”

The Child Care and Dependent Credit Enhancement Act will:

* Expand the tax credit and makes the Child Care and Dependent Care
Tax Credit (CDCTC) refundable, providing families with tax relief to
offset the rising cost of child care, typically the largest or second
largest annual expense for middle- and lower-income families.

* Make the full credit available to most working families: This bill
would make the full credit available to families with income under
$120,000. The current phase-out of the credit begins at $15,000 of
income.

* Put more money into a family's pocket: The bill increases the
maximum credit from $1,050 to $3,000 per child (age 0-13), up to
$6,000 per family.

* Ensure lower income families see a benefit: The bill would make the
credit fully refundable to make sure those with the greatest need see
a benefit.

* Retain the value over time: The bill would index benefits to
inflation to ensure they keep up with ever-growing costs.

The tax code has long recognized the need to provide families with tax
relief to offset this expense through the Child and Dependent Care Tax
Credit. As currently structured, however, very few families receive
meaningful benefit from the credit. This is in part because the credit
begins to phase out for those with income over $15,000, and in part
because the credit's expense limits and income scales have not been
indexed to inflation. Middle class families need more support in
providing their children with quality care, particularly for children
under five, whose expenses are especially high.

The legislation is also supported by:

9 to 5 · American Federation of Teachers · Center for Law and Social
Policy · Child Care Aware of America · Children's Defense Fund · Early
Care and Education Consortium · First Five Years Fund · First Focus
Campaign for Children · Jobs with Justice · Moms Rising · National
Association for Family Child Care · National Association for the
Education of Young Children · National Black Child Development
Institute · National Head Start Association · National Women's Law
Center · Ounce of Prevention Fund · Restaurant Opportunities Center
United · Save the Children · Save the Children Action Network ·
Teaching Strategies · Zero to Three · Pennsylvania Partnerships for
Children