A state tax credit that helps qualifying child care workers and direct care workers.
Refundable credit amount of $1,200.
File a Colorado tax return with Form DR 1217 - Qualified Care Worker Tax Credit..
Qualifying care workers must register in the Colorado Shines Professional Development Information System (PDIS) & complete the Care Worker Tax Credit attestation in PDIS.
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File a tax return with Form DR 1217 - Qualified Care Worker Tax Credit, and take the steps required depending on the type of care you provide.
Child care workers:
Register in the Colorado Shines Professional Development Information System (PDIS)
Complete the Care Worker Tax Credit attestation in PDIS
File your Colorado State Income Taxes
Visit Colorado Department of Early Childhood’s credit page for more information and guidance.
Qualified direct care workers (in the long-term care sector):
To get the credit, be sure your employer reports your hours worked as a direct care worker to the Department of Revenue and let your tax preparer know you work in the care workforce.
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Qualified care workers can get $1,200 back.
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Do you care for children age 5 and under who are not your own? You can receive the tax credit if you:
Work as a Family, friend, or neighbor (FFN) caregiver or are an employee or operator of a licensed child care program
Provided care for at least 720 hours in 2025
Earned $75,000 or less (single filers) or $100,000 or less as a joint-filer.
Care workers must be full or part-year Colorado residents.
Are you a direct care worker providing long-term care? You can receive the tax credit if you:
Work as a personal care aide who provides hands-on care and services to people in Colorado. (Nurse aides do not qualify as a direct care worker for the purposes of this credit.)
Provided care for at least 720 hours in 2025
Earned $75,000 or less (single filers) or $100,000 or less as a joint-filer.
Care workers must be full or part-year Colorado residents.
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Yes. If you provide care for children other than your own who are five years of age or younger, you may receive the credit when you file a tax return and follow the steps outlined in the first FAQ above. You may provide care at your home or at the child's home.
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No. Care workers who do not have a social security number can use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) when filing their state taxes to claim the tax credit.