4 Overlooked Tax Breaks for New Parents
Kids can score you valuable credits and deductions on your tax return.
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
You are now subscribed
Your newsletter sign-up was successful
Want to add more newsletters?
Delivered daily
Kiplinger Today
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more delivered daily. Smart money moves start here.
Sent five days a week
Kiplinger A Step Ahead
Get practical help to make better financial decisions in your everyday life, from spending to savings on top deals.
Delivered daily
Kiplinger Closing Bell
Get today's biggest financial and investing headlines delivered to your inbox every day the U.S. stock market is open.
Sent twice a week
Kiplinger Adviser Intel
Financial pros across the country share best practices and fresh tactics to preserve and grow your wealth.
Delivered weekly
Kiplinger Tax Tips
Trim your federal and state tax bills with practical tax-planning and tax-cutting strategies.
Sent twice a week
Kiplinger Retirement Tips
Your twice-a-week guide to planning and enjoying a financially secure and richly rewarding retirement
Sent bimonthly.
Kiplinger Adviser Angle
Insights for advisers, wealth managers and other financial professionals.
Sent twice a week
Kiplinger Investing Weekly
Your twice-a-week roundup of promising stocks, funds, companies and industries you should consider, ones you should avoid, and why.
Sent weekly for six weeks
Kiplinger Invest for Retirement
Your step-by-step six-part series on how to invest for retirement, from devising a successful strategy to exactly which investments to choose.
Got a new bundle of joy in your household? Here are opportunities to cut your tax bill as you grow your family.
1. Dependency Exemption
Claiming your son or daughter as a dependent will shelter $4,050 of your income from tax in 2016 and 2017.
2. Child Tax Credit
A new baby also delivers a $1,000 child tax credit, and this is a gift that keeps on giving every year until your dependent child turns 17.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
3. Head of Household Filing Status
If you're single, having a child may allow you to file as a head of household rather than using the single filing status. That would give you a bigger standard deduction and more advantageous tax brackets.
4. Adoption Credit
The credit will reimburse you for up to $13,460 in expenses for a 2016 adoption.
Read more about ways parents can lower their tax bills.
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.

-
Nasdaq Leads a Rocky Risk-On Rally: Stock Market TodayAnother worrying bout of late-session weakness couldn't take down the main equity indexes on Wednesday.
-
Quiz: Do You Know How to Avoid the "Medigap Trap?"Quiz Test your basic knowledge of the "Medigap Trap" in our quick quiz.
-
5 Top Tax-Efficient Mutual Funds for Smarter InvestingMutual funds are many things, but "tax-friendly" usually isn't one of them. These are the exceptions.
-
How to Open Your Kid's $1,000 Trump AccountTax Breaks Filing income taxes in 2026? You won't want to miss Form 4547 to claim a $1,000 Trump Account for your child.
-
In Arkansas and Illinois, Groceries Just Got Cheaper, But Not By MuchFood Prices Arkansas and Illinois are the most recent states to repeal sales tax on groceries. Will it really help shoppers with their food bills?
-
New Plan Could End Surprise Taxes on Social Security 'Back Pay'Social Security Taxes on Social Security benefits are stirring debate again, as recent changes could affect how some retirees file their returns this tax season.
-
Can I Deduct My Pet On My Taxes?Tax Deductions Your cat isn't a dependent, but your guard dog might be a business expense. Here are the IRS rules for pet-related tax deductions in 2026.
-
Tax Season 2026 Is Here: 8 Big Changes to Know Before You FileTax Season Due to several major tax rule changes, your 2025 return might feel unfamiliar even if your income looks the same.
-
2026 State Tax Changes to Know Now: Is Your Tax Rate Lower?Tax Changes As a new year begins, taxpayers across the country are navigating a new round of state tax changes.
-
3 Major Changes to the Charitable Deduction for 2026Tax Breaks About 144 million Americans might qualify for the 2026 universal charity deduction, while high earners face new IRS limits. Here's what to know.
-
Retirees in These 7 States Could Pay Less Property Taxes Next YearState Taxes Retirement property tax bills could be up to 65% cheaper for some older adults in 2026. Do you qualify?