tax credits for single parents Archives | Peavy and Associates, PC

Everyone is looking for ways to reduce their tax liability. There are dozens of ways business owners can reduce their taxes, but not necessarily for the average person. The following are 5 big tax credits that you may qualify for without even knowing it.

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

The EITC is one of the best-known credits. It can range from a few hundred to several thousand, depending on the number of children you have and your filing status. The credit will factor in your adjusted gross income, investment income and earned income. You won’t qualify if you can be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s taxes, lived outside the U.S. for 6 months or more, or earned more than $10,000 in investment income. You may be able to claim children up to 24 years of age if certain criteria are met.

American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC)

Formerly known as the Hope Credit, the AOTC helps if you’re paying for college expenses that includes tuition and course materials. The allowable amount is determined according to your modified adjusted gross income. Students must be enrolled at least half time and the credit is available on a per-student basis.

Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC)

You can claim this to help offset the costs of post-secondary education, even if you’re not pursuing a degree. It’s available to those within specific income brackets.

Child and Dependent Care Credit (CDCC)

The credit is available to help mitigate the costs of child care services for children under age 13 so parents can work. The credit also encompasses caring for a spouse, parents, or other individual that’s mentally or physically incapable of caring for themselves.

Savers Tax Credit (STC)

Previously known as the Retirement Savings Contributions Credit, it provides a credit if you contribute to retirement plans encompassing a 401(k), investment retirement accounts, and some other types of retirement plans. Age, along with dependent and student status will be factored in.

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Tax time can be extremely stressful, particularly for single parents that need every tax credit they can take. There are a number of ways that single parents can take advantage of credits on their federal income taxes to reduce the tax burden of which they may not be aware.

Head of Household

Claim head of household to receive a higher standard deduction. Individuals will also pay fewer taxes overall. Generally, the filer can claim this if they were single on the last day of the year, the child(ren) lived with them the majority of the year, and they provided more than 50 percent of the child’s financial support.

Earned Income Credit

This is one of the most often claimed credits by single parents and couples. It’s designed for working families of low- and moderate-income, even if they don’t owe taxes. However, the IRS is required to hold the entire amount of any refund until mid-February if they claim this.

Child Care Credit

A single parent is eligible for this credit if they paid someone to care for their child so they could work. The child and the one caring for them must meet certain requirements. The credit is available when children are cared for by a licensed childcare center. Parents that pay someone to care for a child in their own home may be subject to the “Nanny Tax” as an employer.

Child Tax Credit

The child tax credit shouldn’t be confused with the child care credit. Up to $2,000 can be deducted from tax liabilities for each child under the age of 17 on Dec. 31, provided the parent has earned at least $2,500. The amount that can be refunded begins to diminish once individuals reach the $200,000 mark for income.

Medical Expenses

Extensive medical expenses that exceed 7.5 percent of an individual’s adjusted gross income can be deducted. It will require an itemized return and itemized returns are more likely to be audited.

Adoptions

The federal government gives individuals a tax credit when they adopt a child. Adopting a spouse’s child doesn’t count for the credit.