Understanding the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit Let's clear up some common misconceptions about the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit. This credit is non-refundable, meaning you won't see any of it in your pocket unless you have a tax liability to offset. If your income is low and you don't owe any federal taxes, claiming this credit won't affect your tax return. However, if you do have a tax liability and paid federal taxes throughout the year, the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit ca