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Why is TurboTax selecting 'Credit for other dependents' rather than 'Child tax credit' on the 1040?

Forum|Forum|5 years ago
January 5, 2021
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We have been resident aliens since 2016.
Our daughter is 9 yrs old.

At the time of filing, my wife and I had social security numbers and our daughter had an ITIN (for over 3 years).

Why is TurboTax selecting 'Credit for other dependents' rather than 'Child tax credit' - item 4 in the dependents section of the federal tax return?

I have checked the 2019 1040 instructions and as far as I can tell, she should qualify for child tax credit.

TurboTax Self Employed Online

Best answer by DoninGA

IRS Publication 972 (2019), Child Tax Credit and Credit for Other Dependents page 2 - https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p972.pdf#page=2

Each qualifying child you use for the CTC or ACTC must have the required SSN.

If you have a qualifying child who does not have the required SSN, you cannot use the child to claim the CTC or ACTC on either your original or an amended 2019 return. The required SSN is one that is valid for employment and is issued before the due date of your 2019 return (including extensions).

If your qualifying child does not have the required SSN, but has another type of taxpayer identification number issued on or before the due date of your 2019 return (including extensions), you may be able to claim the ODC for that child.

DoninGAAnswer

Employee

IRS Publication 972 (2019), Child Tax Credit and Credit for Other Dependents page 2 - https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p972.pdf#page=2

Each qualifying child you use for the CTC or ACTC must have the required SSN.

If you have a qualifying child who does not have the required SSN, you cannot use the child to claim the CTC or ACTC on either your original or an amended 2019 return. The required SSN is one that is valid for employment and is issued before the due date of your 2019 return (including extensions).

If your qualifying child does not have the required SSN, but has another type of taxpayer identification number issued on or before the due date of your 2019 return (including extensions), you may be able to claim the ODC for that child.

B

BroAuthor

Thanks - I didn't see any reference to that in the 1040 instructions.

Now that we have our Green Cards and our daughter has an SSN (since last year), I presume going forwards she will be classed as a dependent for child tax credit?

It's a good job the US tax code isn't massively overcomplicated, which requires thousands of pages of explanatory text and complicated paid software to file ... /irony

DoninGA

Employee

@Bro wrote:

Thanks - I didn't see any reference to that in the 1040 instructions.

Now that we have our Green Cards and our daughter has an SSN (since last year), I presume going forwards she will be classed as a dependent for child tax credit?

It's a good job the US tax code isn't massively overcomplicated, which requires thousands of pages of explanatory text and complicated paid software to file ... /irony

Yes, if she has a SSN in 2020 and is otherwise eligible, the Child Tax Credit will be included on your 2020 tax return.