H.R. 8004House118th Congress (2023-2025)In Committee

Expanding Child Care Access Act of 2024

Introduced April 15, 2024

AI-Generated Summary

Updated January 20, 2026 at 3:54 PM UTC

The Expanding Child Care Access Act of 2024 amends the Internal Revenue Code to create a refundable tax credit for family child‑care providers who run a licensed, home‑based business. It offers up to $5,000 per taxpayer for qualified startup costs, helping providers cover initial expenses and expand access to child care.

Key Provisions

  • Provides a refundable credit of up to $5,000 for qualified child‑care startup expenses incurred in the tax year or the prior year.
  • Defines a qualified taxpayer as a family child‑care provider who is licensed or registered, operates primarily from their residence, and cares for at least two non‑related children.
  • Specifies eligible expenses, including licensing fees, supplies, liability insurance, fencing, playground equipment, furniture, employee wages, computers, required training, and necessary home renovations.
  • Limits the credit to one claim per taxpayer and bars it for any expense already deductible or creditable under other tax provisions.
  • Sets a sunset provision so the credit expires seven years after the law’s enactment.
  • Requires the Treasury Secretary to issue regulations to implement the credit and coordinate with state licensing agencies.

Legislative Activity

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HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

April 15, 2024

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

April 15, 2024

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

April 15, 2024

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued April 15, 2024

I

118th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 8004

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 15, 2024

Mr. Jackson of North Carolina (for himself, Mrs. Foushee, Ms. Barragán, Ms. Sánchez, Ms. Pressley, Ms. Chu, Mr. Kim of New Jersey, Ms. Tlaib, Ms. Titus, Ms. Norton, Ms. Ross, Mrs. Cherfilus-McCormick, Ms. Brownley, Ms. Jackson Lee, Mr. Takano, Mr. Deluzio, Mr. Frost, Mr. Casten, Mrs. Watson Coleman, Mrs. Ramirez, Ms. Perez, Mr. Nickel, Ms. Garcia of Texas, Mr. Carson, and Mr. Gottheimer) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

A BILL

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to establish a refundable credit for qualified child care startup expenses.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Expanding Child Care Access Act of 2024.

2.

Licensed family child care credit

(a)

In general

Subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after section 36C the following new section:

36D.

Licensed family child care credit

(a)

In general

In the case of a qualified taxpayer, there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this subtitle for any taxable year an amount equal to so much of the qualified child care startup expenses of the taxpayer for such taxable year or for the preceding taxable year as do not exceed $5,000.

(b)

Qualified taxpayer

For purposes of this section, the term qualified taxpayer means, with respect to a taxable year, a taxpayer that operates a qualified family child care provider.

(c)

Qualified family child care provider

For purposes of this section, the term qualified family child care provider means a family child care provider that, with respect to a taxable year—

(1)

provides child care services for compensation that, as of the last day of such taxable year, is licensed or registered under State law and satisfies State and local requirements applicable to the child care services it provides,

(2)

primarily provides child care at the taxpayer’s primary residence, and

(3)

provided child care services to not less than 2 children (excluding children of such taxpayer) for a significant portion of such taxable year.

(d)

Qualified child care startup expenses

For purposes of this section, the term qualified child care startup expenses means amounts paid or incurred for any of the following in order to establish and operate a qualified family child care provider:

(1)

Child care licensing fees.

(2)

Child care supplies including diapers, food, toys, and learning materials.

(3)

Liability insurance.

(4)

Fencing and installation of such fencing.

(5)

Outdoor playground equipment and installation of such equipment.

(6)

Furniture necessary to provide child care.

(7)

Salary of an employee other than the taxpayer.

(8)

Printer and computers.

(9)

Professional training required as a condition of State licensure or registration.

(10)

Remediation or renovation of the taxpayer’s primary residence required as a condition of State licensure or registration.

(e)

Limitations

No credit shall be allowed under subsection (a) to any taxpayer to whom a credit was allowed under such subsection in any other taxable year.

(f)

Denial of double benefit

No credit shall be allowed under subsection (a) for any expense for which a deduction or credit is allowed under any other provision of this chapter.

(g)

Regulations

The Secretary shall issue such regulations or other guidance as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this section, including regulations relating to such information reporting and coordination with state and local licensing or registration entities as the Secretary determines appropriate.

(h)

Sunset

No credit shall be allowed under subsection (a) for any taxable year beginning after the date that is 7 years after the date of the enactment of this section.

.

(b)

Conforming amendment

Section 1324(b)(2) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by inserting 36D, after 36B,.

(c)

Clerical amendment

The table of sections for subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 36C the following new item:

.

(d)

Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to amounts paid or incurred after the date of the enactment of this Act.