A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide an above-the-line deduction for child care expenses, and for other purposes.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide an above-the-line deduction for child care expenses, and for other purposes. 1. Above-the-line deduction for child care expenses (a) In general Part VII of subchapter A of chapter 1 (1) by redesignating section 224 as section 225, and (2) by inserting after section 223 the following new section: 224. Child care deduction (a) Allowance of deduction In the case of an individual for which there are 1 or more qualifying children with respect to such individual for the taxable year, there shall be allowed as a deduction an amount equal to the employment-related expenses paid by such individual during the taxable year. (b) Dollar limitations (1) In general The amount allowed as a deduction under subsection (a) with respect to the taxpayer for any taxable year shall not exceed— (A) $7,000, if there is 1 qualifying child with respect to the taxpayer for such taxable year, or (B) $14,000, if there are 2 or more qualifying children with respect to the taxpayer for such taxable year. (2) Adjustment for inflation In the case of a taxable year beginning after 2017, each of the dollar amounts in paragraph (1) shall be increased by an amount equal to— (A) such dollar amount, multiplied by (B) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which such taxable year begins, determined by substituting calendar year 2016 calendar year 1992 If any amount as adjusted under the preceding sentence is not a multiple of $100, such amount shall be rounded to the next highest multiple of $100. (c) Definitions and special rules For purposes of this section— (1) Qualifying child The term qualifying child (A) who has not attained age 13, or (B) who is physically or mentally incapable of caring for himself or herself. (2) Employment-related expenses The term employment-related expenses qualifying child qualifying children qualifying individual qualifying individuals (3) Special rules Rules similar to the rules of paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (9), and (10) of section 21(e) shall apply. (d) Denial of double benefit (1) In general No deduction shall be allowed under this section for any expense with respect to which a credit is claimed by the taxpayer under section 21. (2) Coordination rule For coordination with a dependent care assistance program, see section 129(e)(7). . (b) Deduction Allowed Above-the-Line Subsection (a) of section 62 (22) Child care deduction The deduction allowed by section 224. . (c) Conforming amendment Subsection (e) of section 213 , or as a deduction under section 224, section 21 (d) Clerical amendment The table of sections for part VII of subchapter A of chapter 1 section 224 Sec. 224. Child care deduction. Sec. 225. Cross reference. . (e) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to expenses paid or incurred in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2016.

Summary: This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers who do not otherwise itemize their tax deductions a deduction from gross income (above-the-line deduction) for their employment-related expenses incurred in caring for a child under the age of 13 or a child who is physically or mentally incapable of self-care (qualifying child). The deduction is subject to annual limits of $7,000 for taxpayers with one qualifying child or $14,000 for taxpayers with two or more qualifying children. The bill allows an annual inflation adjustment to such amounts for taxable years beginning after 2017.