ScheduleWI-2441: ScheduleWI-2441 (2025)
Wisconsin · Wisconsin DOR · Used for tax years 2025
Wisconsin Schedule WI-2441 calculates the 2025 Additional Child and Dependent Care Credit. It reports care provider details, qualifying persons, care expenses, dependent care benefits, and income used to calculate the credit, and is filed with Wisconsin Form 1 or 1NPR.
Who files this form
Use 2025 Schedule WI-2441 to claim Wisconsin’s Additional Child and Dependent Care Credit. File it with Wisconsin Form 1 or Form 1NPR.
If your filing status is married filing separately, you cannot claim the credit unless you meet the requirements referenced under “Married Persons Filing Separately” in the instructions. Those requirements are not included in the supplied text.
What you'll need
Have the following information ready:
- Wisconsin Form 1 or Form 1NPR, including the name(s) and Social Security number shown on your return.
- Each care provider’s name, address, SSN or EIN, and amount paid. The form also asks for a provider code from the instructions.
- Each qualifying person’s name, Social Security number, and qualified care expenses incurred and paid in 2025. The form also asks for a qualifying person code from the instructions.
- Your earned income and, if married filing jointly, your spouse’s earned income.
- Dependent care benefits excluded from taxable wages or deducted on federal Schedule C, E, or F.
- Federal Form 1040 or 1040-SR, line 11.
If you paid 2024 care expenses in 2025, the form requires Worksheet A from the instructions. Neither that worksheet nor the code instructions are included in the supplied text.
How to file
File Schedule WI-2441 with your Wisconsin Form 1 or Form 1NPR.
- Complete Part I with information about the care providers.
- Complete Part II with qualifying person information and the credit calculation.
- Enter the total from line 14 on Form 1, line 14, or Form 1NPR, line 41.
The supplied form does not give a mailing address or e-filing directions.
Common mistakes
- Leaving Part I blank: The form says you must complete the care provider section.
- Including expenses in the wrong year: Do not include on line 2, column (d), expenses incurred in 2025 but paid in 2026, or amounts prepaid in 2025 for care to be provided in 2026.
- Claiming the credit while married filing separately without meeting the exception: The form requires you to meet the referenced instructions’ requirements and check box A.
- Missing box B: Check it if you or your spouse was a student or disabled during 2025 and you are entering deemed income of $250 or $500 a month.
- Overlooking the extra-entry checkboxes: If you have more than three care providers or more than three qualifying persons, check the applicable box and see the instructions.
Questions people ask
What expense limit does the form use?
Line 6 uses the smaller of line 5 or $10,000 for one qualifying person, or $20,000 for two or more qualifying persons. These are expense limits used in the calculation, not the final credit amount.
What if I paid 2024 care expenses in 2025?
Complete Worksheet A in the instructions and enter its line 11 amount on Schedule WI-2441, line 13. If this does not apply, enter zero on line 13. Worksheet A is not included in the supplied text.
Where do I enter my spouse’s earned income?
If married filing jointly, enter your spouse’s earned income on line 8. All other filers enter the amount from line 7. The form refers you to the instructions if you or your spouse was a student or disabled.
Where does the completed credit amount go?
Add lines 12 and 13 and enter the result on Schedule WI-2441, line 14. Also enter it on Wisconsin Form 1, line 14, or Form 1NPR, line 41.