DR 1703: Instructions for Early Childhood Educator Income Tax Credit Affidavit (2024)
Colorado · Colorado DOR · Used for tax years 2024
Colorado DR 1703 provides instructions and an affidavit for claiming the 2024 Early Childhood Educator Income Tax Credit. It records your early childhood professional credential level and credit amount, and includes an attestation about your credential and work with an eligible p
Who files this form
Complete DR 1703 and file it with your income tax return to claim the 2024 early childhood educator income tax credit. To qualify, you must meet all three conditions:
- Your federal adjusted gross income (AGI) is $75,000 or less if filing a single return, or $150,000 or less if filing jointly.
- You held an early childhood professional credential issued by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood for at least part of 2024.
- You were the licensee of an eligible program or employed by an eligible program for at least six months of 2024.
An eligible program is an early childhood education program as defined in section 26-6.5-101.5(6.5), C.R.S., or a licensed family child care home. The program must have held at least a level one Colorado Shines quality rating during the tax year.
What you'll need
You need the completed DR 1703 affidavit and your income tax return. To fill out the affidavit, have:
- Your name, SSN or ITIN, and address.
- The highest early childhood professional credential level you attained during 2024.
- If filing jointly and both taxpayers qualify, the second taxpayer’s name, SSN or ITIN, and highest credential level.
The form directs you to enter the total allowable credit on line 10 of DR 0104CR.
How to file
Complete DR 1703 and submit it with your income tax return. The affidavit specifically says paper filers claiming the credit must include this schedule with their return.
- Enter your taxpayer information.
- Check your highest credential level attained during 2024 on line 1, then enter its credit amount on line 2.
- If filing jointly and both taxpayers qualify, complete the second taxpayer’s information and lines 3 and 4.
- Add lines 2 and 4 and enter the total on line 5.
- Enter that total on line 10 of DR 0104CR.
The supplied text does not give a mailing address or e-filing instructions.
Common mistakes
- Leaving the form incomplete: The instructions remind you to read all instructions and fully fill out the form.
- Omitting the schedule from a paper return: Paper filers claiming this credit must submit the schedule with their return.
- Selecting a lower credential level: If you earned a higher credential during 2024, check the highest level you attained that year. Check only one level for each taxpayer.
- Overlooking the second eligible taxpayer: If filing jointly and both taxpayers qualify, complete the second taxpayer’s information and credit lines.
- Not transferring the total: Enter the sum of lines 2 and 4 on line 5, then enter that amount on line 10 of DR 0104CR.
Questions people ask
How much is the credit for 2024?
The credit is $852 for Early Childhood Professional I, $1,136 for Early Childhood Professional II, and $1,705 for Early Childhood Professional III, IV, V, or VI.
What if I earned a higher credential during 2024?
Use the highest early childhood professional credential you attained during the tax year to determine your credit.
Do I need to have held my credential for the entire year?
No. You must have held the credential for at least part of the tax year. Separately, you must have been the licensee of an eligible program or employed by one for at least six months of the year.
Can both taxpayers claim the credit on a joint return?
If both taxpayers are eligible early childhood educators, complete the second taxpayer’s section and lines 3 and 4. Add both credit amounts on line 5.
What am I declaring by claiming the credit?
You declare that, to the best of your knowledge and belief, the affidavit is true, correct, and complete.