The Toolkit

What Does Returning to Work
Actually Cost?

See your real take-home pay after child care, taxes, and work expenses. Enter your numbers and get the full picture.

01

Your Income

Tell us about your salary and work schedule

$
hrs/wk
weeks

Pre-Tax Deductions

$/year
$/mo
$/year
$/mo
$/mo
02

Child Care Costs

Include all regular and occasional care expenses

$/child/mo
$/mo
$/year
$/mo
03

Work-Related Expenses

The full cost of working with a child in care

$/mo
$/mo
$/mo
$/mo
$/mo
04

Tax Benefits & Credits

Offsets that reduce your net child care cost

Dependent Care FSA (DCFSA)

Pre-tax savings up to $5,000/year through your employer

Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit

Federal credit: 20–35% on up to $3,000 (1 child) / $6,000 (2+ children)

$/year
$/mo

Live Results

Monthly Shortfall
$0

per month — costs exceed take-home pay

Effective Hourly Wage

$0.00/hr

what you actually earn per hour

Where Your Income Goes

Take-Home0%
Taxes0%
Child Care0%
Work Expenses0%

Monthly Breakdown

Gross Monthly Income
$0
Federal Tax
-$0
State Tax (est.)
-$0
FICA (SS + Medicare)
-$0
Net Take-Home
$0
Child Care
-$0
Work Expenses
-$0
Net After Everything
-$0

Breakeven Salary

$0/year

Minimum gross salary needed to break even after all costs

Annual Summary

Total Taxes$0
Total Child Care$0
Total Work Expenses$0
Total Tax Benefits$0
Net Annual Gain-$0

Estimates use 2024 federal tax brackets and a ~5% average state tax. Consult a tax professional for personalized advice.