IT-216: Claim for Child and Dependent Care Credit. See Form DTF-216 for recordkeeping suggestions for child care expenses. (2025)
New York · NY DTF · Used for tax years 2025
Form IT-216 is used to claim the New York State and New York City child and dependent care credits. It reports care provider information, qualifying persons, qualified care expenses, and income amounts used to calculate the credits. Submit it with Form IT-201 or IT-203.
Who files this form
Use Form IT-216 to claim the New York State child and dependent care credit with Form IT-201 or IT-203. The form also includes a New York City child and dependent care credit section.
The form has separate sections for part-year New York State residents and part-year New York City residents.
What you'll need
Have these details available to complete the form:
- Your name as shown on your return and your Social Security number.
- Each care provider’s name, address, Social Security number or employer identification number, and amount paid.
- Each qualifying person’s name, Social Security number, date of birth, qualified expenses paid, and disability information, if applicable.
- Your earned income and, if filing jointly, your spouse’s earned income.
- Your Form IT-201 or IT-203 for the income and other amounts requested.
The form also refers to tables and worksheets in the IT-216 instructions. Part-year residents may need amounts from Form IT-203-ATT, Form IT-201-ATT, or the income allocation worksheet in Form IT-203-I, depending on the section they complete.
How to file
Submit Form IT-216 with Form IT-201 or IT-203.
The supplied form text does not give a mailing address or e-filing directions.
Common mistakes
- Use whole dollars only for dollar amounts.
- List qualifying persons from youngest to oldest.
- For expenses paid for a dependent child, include only qualified expenses paid through the day before the child’s 13th birthday.
- If you have more than two care providers or more than five qualifying persons, see the instructions.
- Include amounts from additional sheets in the line 3a total.
- If your New York State filing status is married filing separately and you checked box A on federal Form 2441, see the instructions.
- On line 21, round the result to four decimal places. It cannot exceed 1.0000.
Questions people ask
When should I complete the New York City credit section?
For tax year 2025, complete line 23 and see page 5 of the instructions if you were a New York City resident at any time during the year, your federal adjusted gross income is $30,000 or less, and you listed a child under age 4 as of December 31, 2025, on line 3. The form also directs you to the note under “New York City credit” on page 1 of the instructions.
What income goes on line 7?
If you file a joint return, enter your spouse’s earned income. Otherwise, enter the amount from line 6. The form directs you to the instructions for details.
Do part-year New York State residents always continue past line 15?
No. If line 15 is equal to or greater than line 14, stop because you do not have excess credit. If line 15 is less than line 14, continue to line 16.