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Provincial Program · Ontario

Ontario Childcare Access and Relief from Expenses Tax Credit

ON CARE Credit

The Ontario Childcare Access and Relief from Expenses (CARE) Tax Credit helps families with the cost of child care by refunding up to a portion of your child care expenses based on your income. It supports low- and moderate-income families in particular, and is claimed on your annual tax return.

Last reviewed: September 2026

Useful Tips for Applying

Keep all child care receipts during the year. If you have a child with special needs, ask about age-limit exceptions. The credit is refundable, so you can receive it even if you owe little or no tax. Combine it with the federal child care deduction and the Canada Child Benefit.

Who May Qualify

You may qualify if you are an Ontario resident at the end of the tax year, your family income is $150,000 or less, you are eligible to claim the Child Care Expense Deduction, and you paid for child care so you could work, study, or run a business.

Required Documents

Receipts from your child care provider showing amounts paid, the provider's information, and your income tax return. You must be eligible to claim the Child Care Expense Deduction.

How to Apply

Claim the credit on your annual Ontario tax return. You must first be eligible to claim the Child Care Expense Deduction on your federal return.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A common mistake is not claiming the federal Child Care Expense Deduction first, which is required to claim this credit. Another is not keeping child care receipts, which you need to support the deduction. People also miss that families with special-needs children may qualify for the credit for a child older than the usual age limit.

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