Can you file taxes with no income but have a dependent in 2024?

Asked by: Grayce Medhurst  |  Last update: February 28, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (31 votes)

Another tax credit for low or no income is the Earned Income Tax Credit. The EITC credit can provide significant financial relief to those who qualify, It is important to note that even if a taxpayer has no income, they must still file a tax return if they have a dependent and wish to claim tax credits.

Can I claim my kids with no income in 2024?

@Prayingmother_40 The child tax credit for 2024 is based on having income from working. You must have at least $2500 of income from working in order to get any of the refundable additional child tax credit. An earned income of only $2500 will not get you the full amount of the credit, however.

Can you file taxes with no income but have a dependent?

Can I file taxes with no income if I have a dependent? Yes, you are certainly allowed to file a tax return even with minimal income. Although you may not have to file a tax return based on the IRS required filing income threshold, if you are claiming a dependent, it may be beneficial to file a tax return.

Can I file taxes with a dependent if I didn't work?

If you did not work and did not have any other type of taxable income then there is no reason to file a tax return, with or without claiming dependents. You are not eligible for any type credits which are based on income from work, including the Child Tax Credit.

What are the new tax rules for 2024?

After an inflation adjustment, the 2024 standard deduction increases to $14,600 for single filers and married couples filing separately and to $21,900 for single heads of household, who are generally unmarried with one or more dependents. For married couples filing jointly, the standard deduction rises to $29,200.

Child Tax Credit 2024 - Can You File with Zero Income?

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What is the minimum income to file taxes in 2024?

If you have income below the standard deduction threshold for 2024, which is $14,600 for single filers and $29,200 for those married filing jointly, you may not be required to file a return. However, you may want to file anyway.

What will be the child tax credit for 2024?

For 2024 (taxes filed in 2025), the child tax credit is worth up to $2,000 per qualifying dependent child.

Can I get a tax refund with no income?

If you qualify for tax credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Child Tax Credit, you can receive a refund even if your tax is $0. To claim the credits, you have to file your 1040 and other tax forms.

Do stay at home moms file taxes?

Does a stay-at-home parent file taxes? As a stay-at-home parent, you can absolutely file taxes. Whether you are required to file a tax return depends on your income level. If you earn any income from freelance work, investment income, or a side business, you may need to report it, depending on how much you make.

Can you file taxes and still be claimed as a Dependant?

You can be claimed as a dependent and still need to file your own tax return. Your filing requirement depends on your income, marital status and other criteria. Find details on filing requirements for dependents.

Can I file taxes if I don't work but have a child?

Yes, if your child was born alive during the year and the tests for claiming your child as a dependent are met, you may claim her as a dependent. You may also be entitled to claim: The child tax credit (CTC) and/or additional child tax credit (ACTC) Head of household filing status.

How to file a zero income tax return?

Reporting Zero Income
  1. Choose the correct form. There are 3 different versions of the standard tax return: the 1040, the 1040A, and the 1040EZ. ...
  2. Provide your identification information. ...
  3. Enter "-0-" for all income categories. ...
  4. Make any applicable adjustments to your income.

What can I do if I have no income?

Here are five steps to take immediately if you've lost your income:
  1. Do a financial review.
  2. Apply for unemployment benefits.
  3. Look for ways to cut expenses.
  4. Find extra ways to supplement your income.
  5. Start looking for a new job.

Can I claim dependents if I had no income?

As of tax year 2022 forward, taxpayers do not need to have earned income to be eligible.

How much EITC will I get in 2024?

Overview. You may be eligible for a California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) up to $3,644 for tax year 2024 as a working family or individual earning up to $30,950 per year.

How to get $7000 tax refund?

Who can claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)?
  1. Have investment income of less than $11,600 in tax year 2024.
  2. Have a valid Social Security number by the due date of your 2024 return.
  3. Be a U.S. citizen or resident alien for the entire year.
  4. Not file Form 2555 (foreign earned income)

Can a single mom file taxes with no income?

It is important to note that even if a taxpayer has no income, they must still file a tax return if they have a dependent and wish to claim tax credits. Failure to do so could result in a loss of benefits.

What benefits can I claim if I am a stay-at-home mom?

Your Other Option: Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

If you're a homemaker or stay-at-home parent, your best option for disability benefits is to apply for supplemental security income. SSI is available to everyone, regardless of your history of paid, taxed work. However, SSI has criteria of its own.

Does a person in a nursing home have to file taxes?

Do nursing home residents on Medicaid have to file taxes? Medicaid is not taxable income, but beneficiaries should still file taxes. Most people who are eligible for Medicaid won't owe any taxes. However, the nursing home resident or their Power of Attorney is still responsible for filing taxes for any taxable income.

Can I get a child tax credit with no income in 2024?

For tax year 2024, you may qualify for YCTC with total earned income of zero dollars or less provided all the following apply: Your total wages, salaries, tips, and other employee compensation (whether subject to California withholding or not), if any, do not exceed $34,602. Your total net loss does not exceed $34,602.

Do I get a tax return if I didn't make any money?

Even if your income is below the amount that requires you to file, you can still file a return to claim a refundable tax credit or get a tax refund.

Can I claim my girlfriend as a dependent?

Your significant other earned less than $5,050 for 2024.

According to the IRS dependent rules, your boyfriend or girlfriend must have earned less than $5,050 for the 2024 tax year if you want to claim them as a dependent.

How to file taxes with no income for child tax credit?

You do not need income to be eligible for the Child Tax Credit if your main home is in the United States for more than half the year. If you do not have income, and do not meet the main home requirement, you will not be able to benefit from the Child Tax Credit because the credit will not be refundable.

When should I stop claiming my child as a dependent?

To meet the qualifying child test, your child must be younger than you or your spouse if filing jointly and either younger than 19 years old or be a "student" younger than 24 years old as of the end of the calendar year.

Who qualifies for the $500 other dependent credit?

The maximum credit amount is $500 for each dependent who meets certain conditions. This credit can be claimed for: Dependents of any age, including those who are age 18 or older. Dependents who have Social Security numbers or Individual Taxpayer Identification numbers.