Tax Credit

An amount subtracted directly from the tax owed. Examples include a child tax credit, a child or dependent care credit, and an education credit.

Credit cuts the bill, deduction cuts the income.

Often confused with

Tax Deduction
A deduction shrinks the income a rate is applied to; a credit subtracts straight from the tax owed, so a dollar of credit is worth more.

Taught in

See also

5.1.B.4