How to claim Child Tax Credit with no income?

Asked by: Paxton Keebler  |  Last update: September 26, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (45 votes)

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.

Can I get additional Child Tax Credit with no earned income?

To qualify for the additional child tax credit, you must have earned income. If Social Security was your only income, you aren't eligible to claim this credit.

Do I have to make $2500 to get a Child Tax Credit?

@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 I file taxes if I have a child but no income?

Can I file taxes when I didn't have a job but I have a child? Can I file taxes when I didn't have a job but I have a child? It will not benefit you to file unless you are a student and are claiming education expenses. If you have no income, you are not required to file, as there is zero tax.

Can you get the Child Tax Credit if you have no income?

Can you get the child tax credit in 2024 with no income? Can you get the child tax credit in 2024 with no income? Sorry--- no. The rules for the CTC are back to the ``old'' rules--you do not get the CTC if you did not work. The child-related credits are based on how much you earned by working.

Child Tax Credit 2023 - Can You Claim CTC with No Income?

38 related questions found

Can a stay at home mom claim a child on taxes?

You are only eligible for the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit if you (and your spouse, if you are filing jointly) are employed, actively looking for full-time employment, or are enrolled in school full-time.

Can I get the child tax credit with no income Turbotax?

If you do not have at least $2500 of income from working you will not get the CTC or the additional child tax credit.

Can I file taxes with kids if I didn't work?

State Young Child Tax Credit:

Families must have at least one qualifying child under 6 years old at the end of the tax year, must file a California state tax return, and meet the requirements of the CalEITC. As of tax year 2022 forward, taxpayers do not need to have earned income to be eligible.

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.

Can you get EIC with no income?

by TurboTax• 32• Updated 3 days ago

You do not qualify for the Earned Income Credit (EIC) unless you have earned income and meet all the other EIC qualifications. Being unemployed, not working, and/or not meeting the filing threshold automatically disqualifies you from the EIC.

What disqualifies you from a Child Tax Credit?

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. For information about the main home requirement for the fully refundable Child Tax Credit, see Q B6.

Do you have to make a certain amount to get full Child Tax Credit?

You qualify for the full amount of the 2024 Child Tax Credit for each qualifying child if you meet all eligibility factors and your annual income is not more than $200,000 ($400,000 if filing a joint return).

Why don't I get the full $2000 Child Tax Credit?

You're eligible for the full credit amount if your modified adjusted gross income is $400,000 or below (married filing jointly) or $200,000 or below (all other filers). If your MAGI exceeds the limits, the credit is reduced by $50 for each $1,000 of income above the threshold until it phases out completely.

Can I get a refund with no income?

You can still file a tax return if you have little or no income. If you are due a tax refund, you must file a return to claim it. Even if you did not earn income, there are tax credits and deductions you may be eligible to claim.

Can self-employed get a Child Tax Credit?

Self-employed parents have many avenues through which they can strategically approach their federal income taxes. If they have a child, the taxpayer is potentially eligible for many child or dependent tax credits.

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.

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.

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

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.

Can I get a tax refund if I didn't work?

If you qualify for tax credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional 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.

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.

What proof does the IRS need to claim a dependent?

The dependent's birth certificate, and if needed, the birth and marriage certificates of any individuals, including yourself, that prove the dependent is related to you. For an adopted dependent, send an adoption decree or proof the child was lawfully placed with you or someone related to you for legal adoption.

How do I file taxes if my child has a job?

Parents can use IRS Form 8814 to elect to report their child's income on their tax return instead of the child filing their own return. To make this election, the completed form is included with the parent's tax return.

Can I claim a Child Tax Credit if I have no income?

Nearly all families with children qualify. Families will get the full amount of the Child Tax Credit if they make less than $150,000 (two parents) or $112,500 (single parent). There is no minimum income, so families who had little or no income in the past two years and have not filed taxes are eligible.

What disqualifies you from earned income credit?

You can't claim the EIC unless your investment income is $11,600 or less. If your investment income is more than $11,600, you can't claim the credit. Use Worksheet 1 in this chapter to figure your investment income.

Can single filers claim Child Tax Credit?

Child Tax Credit income limit and phase-out

$200,000 if filing as Single, Head of Household, or Qualifying Widow(er) $400,000 if Married Filing Jointly. $200,000 if Married Filing Separately.