New Jersey families paying $1,900/month for daycare can save $1,850-$3,400/year through the federal CDCTC and a Dependent Care FSA. New Jersey does not offer a state childcare tax credit, so your savings come from federal programs only.
New Jersey Childcare Tax Credit & Savings Calculator (2026)
Full-time daycare in New Jersey averages $1,900/month ($22,800/year). Here's what you can claim back.
Enter your income, filing status, and number of kids to see your net daycare cost after all credits and FSA savings.
Open Tax CalculatorNew Jersey Childcare Tax Credit Details (2026)
New Jersey does not offer a state-level childcare tax credit. Your savings come from the federal CDCTC and Dependent Care FSA only.
What you CAN claim in New Jersey: The federal CDCTC saves $600-$1,500/year depending on income. A Dependent Care FSA through your employer saves another $1,250-$1,900/year. Combined: $1,850-$3,400/year off your $22,800 childcare bill.
Example Savings for a New Jersey Family
1 child, married filing jointly, $22,800/year in daycare. Proposed 2026 OBBA rates.
| Income (AGI) | Federal | FSA | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| $30K | $1,290 | $983 | $2,273 |
| $50K | $990 | $983 | $1,973 |
| $75K | $600 | $1,483 | $2,083 |
| $100K | $600 | $1,483 | $2,083 |
Questions About New Jersey Childcare Tax Benefits
Does New Jersey have a childcare tax credit?
New Jersey does not offer a state childcare tax credit. Your savings come from the federal CDCTC (up to $3,000 proposed for 2026) and a Dependent Care FSA ($1,250-$1,900/year savings). Combined, families can save $1,850-$3,400/year.
How much does daycare cost in New Jersey?
Full-time infant center-based care in New Jersey averages $1,900/month ($22,800/year). Costs vary by city. See our New Jersey daycare cost page for city-level rates.
Can I claim both the federal credit and a Dependent Care FSA?
Yes, but they share an expense pool. If you put $5,000 in your FSA, the max qualifying expenses for the federal credit drops from $3,000/$6,000 to $0/$1,000. In most cases, the FSA saves more per dollar (income tax + FICA savings), so use it first.