For whom can the Child and Dependent Care Credit be claimed?

The Child and Dependent Care Credit is designed to support individuals who incur expenses for the care of qualifying dependents, allowing them to work or look for work. It can be claimed by taxpayers who pay for care services for a child under the age of 13 or a disabled dependent who is unable to care for themselves, enabling the taxpayer to engage in gainful employment.

This credit specifically targets those who have actual expenses related to the care of these individuals. Therefore, the correct answer highlights the requirement that care expenses be paid for a qualifying individual. This is an essential aspect of the credit, as it acknowledges the financial burden of care providers and offers tax relief for those actively contributing to the workforce.

Other options fail to meet the criteria laid out for this credit, focusing instead on unrelated factors. For example, not working disqualifies an individual from claiming this credit, as the intent is to alleviate costs for those paying for care while they work. The credit is also available to various family structures, not just single parents, and earnings above a certain threshold do not automatically disqualify a taxpayer from claiming the credit, as the amount of the credit may be reduced, but it is still applicable.