FIVE TAX FACTS ABOUT SUMMERTIME CHILD CARE EXPENSES

Many of you who work must arrange for care of their children under 13 years of age during the school vacation.

Here are five facts about tax credits available for child care expenses. The Child and Dependent Care Credit is available for expenses incurred during the lazy hazy days of summer and throughout the rest of the year.

1. The cost of day camp can count as an expense towards the child and dependent care credit.

2. Expenses for overnight camps do not qualify.

3. If your childcare provider is a sitter at your home or a daycare facility outside the home, you'll get some tax benefit if you qualify for the credit.

4. The actual credit can be up to 35 percent of your qualifying expenses but normally it amounts to about 20 percent. The percent depends on your income.

5. The maximum is $3,000 of the unreimbursed expenses paid in a year for one qualifying individual, or $6,000 for two or more qualifying individuals to figure the credit.