A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a credit for increasing wages paid to child care providers.
S. 3534119th Congress

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a credit for increasing wages paid to child care providers.

Introduced in the SenateSen. Mark Warner (D-VA)26 sections · 2 min read
Version: is · Apr 20, 2026

(a) In general

Subpart D of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

(a) In general

For purposes of section 38, the amount of the child care supply credit determined under this section with respect to any employer for any taxable year is an amount equal to the applicable percentage of the qualified child care wages paid or incurred by the employer.

(b) Applicable percentage

For purposes of this section—

(1) In general

Except as provided in paragraph (2), the applicable percentage is 5 percent.

(A) In general

In the case of qualified child care wages paid or incurred with respect to employment at an eligible childcare facility which is located in a rural area, the applicable percentage is 7 percent.

(B) Rural area defined

For purposes of this paragraph, the term rural area means any area other than an urban area (as defined in section 101(a)(35) of title 23, United States Code).

(c) Definitions

For purposes of this section—

(A) In general

The term qualified child care wages means wages paid to qualified child care workers.

(B) Wages

The term wages has the meaning given such term by subsection (b) of section 3306 (determined without regard to any dollar limitation contained in such section). Such term shall not include any amount taken into account for purposes of determining any other credit allowed under this subpart.

(A) In general

The term qualified child care worker means any employee who—

(i) is employed at an eligible child care facility, and

(ii) provides child care services.

(3) Eligible child care facility

The term eligible child care facility means any facility which—

(A) provides child care services for at least 6 individuals,

(B) receives a fee, payment, or grant for providing such services, and

(C) complies with all applicable laws and regulations of a State or unit of local government.

(4) Child care services

The term child care services means the providing of care, education, protection, supervision, or guidance to children.

(1) In general

A taxpayer may elect to have this section not apply for any taxable year.

(2) Other rules

Rules similar to the rules of paragraphs (2) and (3) of section 51(j) shall apply for purposes of this subsection.

(b) Credit treated as part of general business credit

Section 38(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking plus at the end of paragraph (40), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (41) and inserting, plus, and by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(42) the child care supply credit determined under section 45BB(a).

(c) Elective payment

Section 6417(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(13) The child care supply credit determined under section 45BB(a).

(d) Denial of double benefit

Section 280C(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting 45BB(a), after 45S(a),.

(e) Clerical amendment

The table of sections for subpart D of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

(f) Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act.

to ask questions about this bill.