Being a stay-at-home parent may lead to some unique questions when it comes time to file your taxes: Are you still required to file if you don’t earn income? Are you still eligible for a tax refund? Which tax breaks benefit families where one parent stays home?
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), the Child Tax Credit, and the Child and Dependent Care Credit are all important tax credits that any parent should know about. In this article, we take a closer look at these and other tax breaks, plus more tax FAQs from stay-at-home parents.
Are there tax breaks, deductions, or credits for stay-at-home parents?
There are several potential tax credits for stay-at-home parents – the biggest being the Child Tax Credit, which substantially reduces tax liability for qualifying families. Under the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB), this credit has increased to $2,200 per child, with up to $1,700 refundable. There is also the Earned Income Tax Credit. This tax credit is specifically designed to benefit taxpayers with lower income levels.
Taking time to determine the best filing status for your situation can help save you money. If you’re a single filer, consider whether you qualify to file as Head of Household.This filing status offers a larger standard deduction and lower tax brackets.
If you are a stay-at-home parent going back to school, there are even more tax credits you should explore. Educational expenses, like tuition and fees, could be deductible, and you may qualify for credits like the American Opportunity Tax Credit or the Lifetime Learning Credit. Due to the provisions of the OBBB, starting in 2026, a valid Social Security number will be required to claim these education credits.
Does a stay-at-home parent file taxes?
As a stay-at-home parent, you can absolutely file taxes. Even if you are not required to file, submitting a tax return may allow you to claim various credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit, which could potentially result in a tax refund.
Whether you are required to file a tax return depends on your income level. If you earn any income from freelance work, investment income, or a side business, you may need to report it, depending on how much you make.
Can you file taxes if you don’t earn income?
If you don’t earn any taxable income, then you’re not required to file a federal tax return. In fact, if you file a tax return without any taxable income to report, the IRS may read it as an empty tax return and reject it. Depending. In that case, here’s how to file a return with $0 income using TaxSlayer.
Can stay-at-home parents get a tax refund without working?
A tax refund is when the federal or state government reimburses a taxpayer for any excess taxes paid. So, if you haven’t paid into the tax system during the year, you probably won’t be eligible for a tax refund.
Still, depending on your situation, there may be some refundable tax credits available to you. The Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit could put money back in your pocket, but both of these have a minimum income requirement.
Should my spouse claim me as a dependent?
No. Even if you don’t earn income, this does not make you a dependent for tax purposes. You and your spouse should file as married. Married couples filing jointly generally have a higher standard deduction, lower tax rates, and access to more tax credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit than those who file as head of household, or even as married filing separately.
I earned some money from a side business this year. Do I have to report that income to the IRS?
As a basic rule of thumb, if you earn more than $600 in a year, you’ll need to report it on your tax return. In today’s gig economy, many stay-at-home parents are finding ways to earn money outside of the traditional 9-5 work setting. This may include making extra income through a side hustle or hobby.
Depending on the type of work and how much you earn while doing it, you could be considered self-employed by the IRS. Here are just some examples of common self-employed professions:
- Independent consultant (sales/multi-level marketing)
- Independent stylist (hair, nails, skincare, etc.)
- Rideshare driver (Uber, Lyft, Instacart, Spark, etc.)
I receive child support from a previous marriage. Should I report that as income?
No. Child support does not count as income on your tax return. Additionally, if you pay child support, this does not qualify as a deductible income. It’s also important to note that having a shared or joint custody agreement impacts who is eligible to claim your dependent for tax purposes.
Alimony is treated differently. If you receive alimony from a divorce finalized before Dec. 31, 2018, those alimony payments should be reported as income. If your divorce was finalized after Dec. 31, 2018, those payments should not be reported as income.
My child goes to daycare part-time. Can I get a tax credit for childcare expenses?
You are only eligible for the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit if you (and your spouse, if you are filing jointly) are employed, actively looking for full-time employment, or are enrolled in school full-time. You also must have earned income to be able to claim the credit.
If I donate clothing and toys, can I get a tax deduction?
You may be able to claim charitable donations, as long as your items are in good condition or better. The amount you can deduct for your donations depends on the fair market value, which means how much someone would pay for that item in its current condition.
Under the OBBB, the standard deduction has increased significantly, which may affect whether itemizing is beneficial for you. For tax year 2025, you can claim this deduction whether you’re filing your taxes individually or jointly with your spouse, if you are itemizing your deductions. Just be sure to keep proper documentation for your donations to support your claim.
