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February 15, 2021
Question

Why do I get the child tax credit for 1 kid and not the other? (Both are under 10)

  • February 15, 2021
  • 1 reply
  • 0 views
Oldest child's father and I have a legal agreement that one parent claims her one year and the other the following year. This year it's my turn to claim her as a dependent. When I do this, it says she's not eligible for it.

1 reply

February 15, 2021

We can't see your tax return to tell you why TurboTax is not listing your child as a qualifying child. Review your child's information in the TurboTax dependent section. 

 

To qualify for the Child Tax Credit, your child must fit all of these requirements:

  • Be under age 17 at the end of the tax year
  • Is your son, daughter, stepchild, foster child, adopted child, brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, half-brother, half-sister, or a descendant of any of them (for example, a grandchild, niece, or nephew)
  • Has his or her own Social Security Number
  • Lived with you for more than half the year
  • Didn't support him/herself (didn't pay more than half their own expenses)
  • Is a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or U.S. resident alien
    • Residents of Canada or Mexico wouldn't qualify

Up to $1,400 of the credit is refundable and is phased-in based on your earned income.  In most cases, you must have $2,500 or more of earned income to be eligible for any portion of the refundable Child Tax Credit.

 

The $2,000 per-child credit is reduced once your AGI reaches $200,000 (or $400,000 if you're filing jointly with your spouse).

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