Skip to main content
March 13, 2024
Question

Can I still file for child tax credit even if I have no income for 2023 for my 2 children?

  • March 13, 2024
  • 2 replies
  • 0 views
I haven't worked for 2023 but everyone sat I can still get the child tax credit portion ...

2 replies

March 13, 2024

No.  In 2023, you have to have earned income in order to claim the child tax credit.

 

 

The Child Tax Credit and Additional Child Tax Credit rules have reverted back to what they were.  The rules for 2021, where everyone got $2,000 for their child if their income was under a certain level, no longer applies. 

 

This means, that for this year, the nonrefundable Child Tax Credit will lower your tax liability down to $0.  So if your tax liability on line 18 is $0, you would not be eligible for the Child Tax Credit.

 

However, you may still be able to get the Additional Child Tax Credit.  This will not be more than 15% of your Earned income minus $2,500.  So, if your Earned Income is $10,000, your Additional Child Tax Credit would not be more than $1,125.

**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post**Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"
Employee
March 13, 2024

Sorry---the "everyone" who told you that you get CTC without working were incorrect.  The only tax year in which that happened was tax year 2021. For tax year 2021 you could get the full refundable amount of child tax credit even if you did not work. 

 

Then the tax laws changed back to the "old" rules.   For 2022 and 2023, you cannot get a child-related refundable credit like child tax credit or earned income credit if you did not have income from working.   If you do not have a W-2 or self-employment income of at least $2500, you are not eligible for the refundable child tax credit.

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**