Income tax; increase credit allowed for employers providing dependent care/child care stipend for employees.

This bill increases the Mississippi income tax credit available to employers who provide dependent care or child care stipends to their employees during work hours. It raises the minimum child care stipend requirement from $3,000 to $6,000 and expands the types of care facilities that qualify for the credit. Employers can claim the credit against their net costs for contracted care services, staff expenses, facility construction, or stipend payments, with unused credits allowed to carry forward for five years. The bill requires employers to certify specific information to the Department of Revenue and mandates that care facilities meet state licensing standards or serve specific age groups and populations.