Did you know...
The Maine legislature passed a law that
expands the income tax credit for child care expenses. A Maine taxpayer who
enrolls a child in a child care center or home with a Quality Certificate is
eligible for a double child care tax credit on their state income tax return.
Currently an individual is allowed a credit against the tax otherwise due in
the amount of 25% of the federal tax credit allowable for child and dependent
care. In the new law, this credit doubles in amount if the child care expenses
were incurred through the use of quality child care. The credit may result in
a refund of up to $500.
In addition, the Department of Health and
Human Services, Community Services Center (CSC), will pay a quality differential
reimbursement rate to quality child care providers for the units of child
care slots and child care vouchers purchased. To be eligible for the 10%
quality differential, the child care services purchased by the CSC must be
provided by a "quality" child care center or licensed family
child care provider.
"Quality" is
defined as meeting at least one of the following standards:
1. Current accreditation by one of
the following agencies:
a. National Association of the Education of
Young Children (NAEYC)
b. National Association of Family Child Care (NAFCC)
c. National School Age Care Association (NSACA)
2. Meets Head Start Performance Standards
for Programs of Excellence and Quality as evidenced by certification from the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and
Families.
3. A family child care provider who holds
at least one of the following credentials or degrees:
a. Child Development Associate (CDA); or
b. Associates, Bachelor, Masters, PhD in early childhood education, child
development, or related degree. Providers with related degrees will need at
least 12 credits in early childhood education. Providers with related
degrees will also need to complete a 3-credit course in early childhood
education or child development or 45 hours in the Maine Roads to Quality
Core Knowledge Training every 3 years. In addition, providers in this
category will need to satisfactorily pass a quality checklist as
administered at their next licensing visit.
For more information, please
contact, Department of Human Services at (207) 287-5099 or click on
this link:
http://www.state.me.us/revenue/incomeestate/childcare.html
