Raising a family can be expensive, but several tax credits may help lower your tax bill. If you qualify, our software will help you identify and claim the credits available to you. Here are some of the most common family-related tax benefits to review when preparing your 2026 tax return.
Child and Dependent Care Credit
If you paid someone to care for your child under age 13 while you worked or looked for work, you may qualify for the Child and Dependent Care Credit.
This credit may also be available if you paid for the care of:
- A spouse who is physically or mentally unable to care for themselves, or
- A dependent who is physically or mentally unable to care for themselves
To qualify, the person receiving care generally must have lived with you for more than half of the year.
Common qualifying expenses may include:
- Daycare or child care centers
- Babysitters or caregivers
- Before- and after-school care programs
- Adult day care services for a qualifying spouse or dependent
For additional details, see IRS Publication 503, Child and Dependent Care Expenses.
Earned Income Credit (EIC)
The Earned Income Credit (EIC) is a refundable tax credit designed to help eligible workers with low to moderate income.
If you qualify, we'll automatically calculate your credit when you prepare your return.
You may need to complete Form 8862, Information To Claim Certain Credits After Disallowance, if:
- You claimed the EIC in a prior year and it was disallowed by the IRS, and
- You want to claim the credit again for the 2026 tax year
Eligibility depends on several factors, including your income, filing status, and the number of qualifying children you have.
For more information, see IRS Publication 596, Earned Income Credit.
Adoption Tax Credit
If you adopted, or attempted to adopt, an eligible child, you may be able to claim the Adoption Tax Credit for qualified adoption expenses.
An eligible child is generally:
- A child under age 18, or
- A person of any age who is physically or mentally incapable of self-care
Qualifying adoption expenses may include:
- Adoption fees
- Attorney fees
- Court costs
- Travel expenses related to the adoption process, including meals and lodging while away from home
- Re-adoption expenses related to a foreign child
The following expenses do not qualify:
- Expenses paid with funds received from a federal, state, or local program
- Expenses that violate federal or state law
- Costs related to a surrogate parenting arrangement
- Expenses reimbursed by an employer or another organization
- Expenses already claimed as a credit or deduction under another tax provision
In most cases, the adoption must be finalized before you can claim the credit, although special rules may apply to domestic and foreign adoptions.
For additional guidance, review the Instructions for Form 8839, Qualified Adoption Expenses.