| Child Care Contribution Tax Credit |
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| An Innovative Strategy |
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Two-thirds of children under five are in non-parental care
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An Innovative Strategy
There is a commonly expressed view that America is experiencing market failure in the child care sector. Economists describe market failure as a situation in which a market left on its own fails to allocate resources efficiently and effectively
Although child care providers are among the state’s lowest-paid workers, parents still struggle to afford the cost of care. Conversely, if parents want high quality care for their children, the cost is often beyond their financial means.
In 2003, the state legislature recognized this disparity in the child care system by enacting the Oregon Child Care Contribution Tax Credit. By making a contribution to the program, taxpayers receive an Oregon state tax credit of 75 cents for each dollar contributed.
Proceeds from the credits will be used to create a demonstration project to show how child care can work when adequately funded. By simultaneously addressing quality, affordability and provider compensation, this innovative tax credit program will reveal the true cost of quality child care and help to restore balance in this critical sector of Oregon’s economy
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| The Goals of the Legislation |
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Oregon's children deserve quality child care
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The Goals of the Legislation
- Create an incentive for businesses and individuals to invest in child care.
- Create a funding pool of private contributions that will promote and sustain the operation of quality, affordable child care businesses.
- Target specific community needs, such as infant and toddler care, school age or after-hours care.
- Assess the actual cost of quality child care by addressing quality, affordability, and compensation within the same project.
- Strengthen child care businesses, while making child care services more affordable to low-income parents.
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| Fund Distribution and Use |
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Tax credits benifit our children
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Where and how are funds distributed?
The funds will be distributed to qualified community agencies selected as demonstration sites through a competitive process. There is no geographic link between the location of the investor and that of the demonstration projects.
Funds will be used to increase provider wages and professional development, decrease parent cost to less than 10 percent of family income, and improve the quality of care children receive.
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| Who is Eligible to Contribute? |
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Quality child care is a vital part of Oregon's economy
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Who is Eligible to Contribute?
Any individual or company with Oregon state tax liability.
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| How are the funds managed? |
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How are the funds managed?
All funds will be deposited in the state Child Care Fund, managed by the Child Care Division of the Employment Department, and annually distributed to the demonstration projects.
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| How much is available? |
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How much is available?
A total of $500,000 in tax credits are available each calendar year for five years, beginning with tax year 2004.
There is no maximum limit on the tax credits an individual or company can claim.
The only limit is determined by the tax credits available and the amount of Oregon state tax liability.
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| Are Federal Taxes Impacted? |
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Are federal taxes impacted?
For federal tax purposes, contributions to the Child Care Division may be eligible to be treated as contributions to 501(c) (3) charitable organizations. Contributors should seek advice from their individual tax advisors regarding use of credits and deductions for tax purposes
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| Other Benefits |
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Other Benefits Contributors Receive
In addition to tax credits received, contributors help Oregon with a return on this investment: small business development, support for the workforce, and children entering school ready to succeed. Contributors are ultimately supporting a statewide child care system that is safe, of high quality, affordable and accessible.
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| Demonstration Projects |
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Demonstration Projects
The first demonstration project occurred in Lane County with positive results.
With a budget of $513,000, 765 children were impacted by increasing access to affordable, quality child care in Lane County (the recipient of the 2004 Child Care project). Taking into account 7.4% ($38,000) for administration, the Lane County project allocation per child was $475.00 over an 18 month span.
The Lane County pilot, Child Care Enhancement Project, has been evaluated by independent research organizations since its inception. The evaluations have been uniformly positive and have demonstrated that the project is meeting all of its goals.
Evaluation Report-Year 2
The second project has began in Multnomah County, Child Care Community Fund.
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| How much is left for 2008? |
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This page will be updated periodically
Beginning total contribution amount available for tax year 2008: $666,667.00
Contributions available as of March 18, 2008: $666,667.00
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