Active 2026 Legislation
New Hampshire Child Care Employer Credits — SB 654 & HB 1433
SB 654(20% refundable employer credit) passed the NH Senate in January 2026 and is pending House vote.HB 1433(50% credit for small biz) is in committee. Employers should set up aDuo-Share nowto capture the Federal 45F Credit immediately, then add the state credit when it passes.
2026
Program Year
Active
Program Status
45F
Federal Credit Available
All
Employers Eligible
⚖️ How the Cost Split Works
Employer Pays
~33%
of total tuition
New Hampshire Pays
~33%
state match
Parent Pays
~33%
of total tuition
📊 The New Hampshire Savings Stack
Stack available New Hampshire programs with the Federal 45F Tax Credit for maximum employer savings.
| Benefit Layer | Small Business (<$32M) | Large Business |
|---|---|---|
| State Program Benefit | Varies by program | Varies by program |
| Federal 45F Credit (2026) | 50% Tax Credit | 40% Tax Credit |
| Net Employer Cost | Significantly Reduced | Significantly Reduced |
💰 Real-World Employer Savings
| Cost Component | Without Program | With State + 45F Stack |
|---|---|---|
| Annual child care cost (per employee) | $12,000 | $12,000 |
| State Program Benefit | $0 | Varies |
| Employee Share | $0 | Reduced |
| Employer Share | $12,000 | Reduced |
| Federal 45F Credit (50% of employer share) | $0 | Significant savings |
| Net Employer Cost | $12,000 | Significantly Lower |
📋 Available Programs & Incentives
New Hampshire HB 1634 Employer Tax Credit
State Tax Credit
50% of employer contributions (up to $100K/yr)
Eligibility: All New Hampshire employers with qualifying child care expenses
New Hampshire Child Care Scholarship
State Subsidy
Sliding-scale co-pay based on income
Eligibility: Families at or below 85% SMI
Federal Section 45F Credit
Federal Tax Credit
Up to 50% of employer costs (max $600K/yr)
Eligibility: All U.S. employers with qualifying child care expenses
NH Child Development Bureau Programs
State Program
Quality improvement and provider support
Eligibility: Licensed New Hampshire child care providers
Duo-Share (Employer + Employee)
Employer Benefit
Flexible split — employer covers 25–75%
Eligibility: Any New Hampshire employer, no state program required
📍 Geographic Coverage
Major Cities Served
County Coverage
All 10 New Hampshire counties are eligible for SB 654 and HB 1433 tax credits. Contact DHHS for Presumed Eligibility enrollment.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
HB 1634 created a 50% employer tax credit on contributions toward employee child care costs, up to $100,000 per employer per year. This credit can be stacked with the Federal Section 45F Credit.
Yes — New Hampshire employers can stack the HB 1634 state credit (50%) with the Federal Section 45F Credit (up to 50%). Together, these credits can offset nearly all employer child care contributions.
Manchester, Nashua, Concord, and Dover have the highest employer participation rates. The HB 1634 credit is available statewide to all New Hampshire employers.
New Hampshire does not have a formal Tri-Share program. However, HB 1634 creates a strong employer incentive. We recommend a Duo-Share model — contact us for a free consultation.
New Hampshire's Child Care Scholarship serves families at or below 85% of the State Median Income (SMI). Contact DHHS for current income thresholds.
Contact the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration at revenue.nh.gov for guidance on claiming HB 1634 credits.
New Hampshire's Child Development Bureau provides quality improvement grants, provider training, and technical assistance to licensed child care providers statewide.
📚 References & Sources
Last Updated: March 1, 2026