KIMBALL -- Informational sessions are being held this month for the community to learn more about the Nebraska Child Care Tax Credits. 

Kimball Communities for Kids is hosting two information sessions: One on Jan. 23 at 5:30 p.m. at The Sagebrush and another session on Jan. 24 at 10 a.m. at the Kimball Public Library. 

The sessions will benefit parents ahead of submitting their 2024 taxes, as well as for businesses, nonprofits, and child care providers/staff to consider for the upcoming year. 

As the Nebraska child care tax credits are new — this being the second year it's been offered — Kimball Communities for Kids wants to spread the word for parents and businesses. 

“A lot of people are not aware of them, and we want to make sure as many people benefit as possible,” said Jamie Bright of Nebraska Extension at UNL, and the secretary for Kimball Communities for Kids. 

Nebraska’s refundable childcare tax credit can help ease the financial pressures on families. The tax credit is for parents or legal guardians of one or more children 5 years or younger who are enrolled in a licensed childcare program. 

The four established child care programs in Kimball are: Dianne Pruett’s family child care home, Little Rainbows Daycare, Mary Dunegan Little Lambs Child Care, and Upside Down Childcare LLC. 

To be eligible for the tax credit, your annual household income must be $150,000 or less, and you must submit an application before filing your 2024 tax return. 

Not only do families benefit from the Childcare Tax Credit, but businesses may qualify as well. 

If a business makes a contribution to support a local child care facility in their community, they may receive a nonrefundable tax credit. 

Businesses would have already needed to make their contributions for child care in their community during the year 2024, so they have missed out on this year’s tax return already. 

“Several large businesses in eastern Nebraska made significant donations and cleared out all the funds that were available anyway, but we want to make sure our smaller businesses are aware of the tax credit leading into this year if they wish to make donations,” Bright said. 

A few examples of qualifying contributions include:  

  • Establishing or expanding a childcare program 
  • Enabling a program to purchase learning materials or play equipment 
  • Professional development of childcare program staff 
  • Childcare tuition assistance for families in need 
  • Referral services that connect families to childcare providers 

“One major reason that businesses should consider supporting childcare is so they have more of a workforce,” Bright said. “It really helps women be able to be more present in the workforce, and if [businesses] want to support their employees and make sure that childcare is available in their community, donating to childcare providers or other organizations that support childcare is really important.” 

Communities for Kids is a statewide organization and several communities, including Kimball, have received grants from the Nebraska Children and Families Foundation to assist in establishing childcare in their area. 

Kimball Communities for Kids assisted in opening the newest daycare in town, Upside Down Childcare. Other opportunities the organization has provided for the community include networking and professional development opportunities for childcare providers and offering scholarships for families in need. 

For more information about the Child Care Tax Credit Act, visit bit.ly/Child-Care-Tax-Credit-Act.