it is usually more beneficial for the parent with the higher income to claim the children. However, in case that parent's income is so high to prevent him/her from obtaining the Earned Income Credit or the Child Tax Credit, then the other parent should claim the children.
Claiming a dependent on your tax return can significantly reduce your tax bill or increase your refund. By taking advantage of credits like the Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit, and deductions for child care and medical expenses, you could save thousands of dollars come tax time.
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).
Claiming your college student as a dependent on your tax return means potential tax savings! On the other hand, it could mean adjustments (including penalties and interest) if you claim them when you shouldn't.
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.
If a Student's Parents Do Not Claim Them as a Dependent on their Income Tax Returns, Will the Student Get More Financial Aid? Whether or not a student is claimed as an exemption on his parents' federal income tax returns has no impact on the student's eligibility for financial aid and scholarships.
The child must have lived with you for more than half of the year.2 3. The person's gross income for the year must be less than $4,300.3 Gross income means all income the person received in the form of money, goods, property and services, that isn't exempt from tax.
Tax credit per child for 2024
The maximum tax credit per qualifying child is $2,000 for children under 17. For the refundable portion of the credit (or the additional child tax credit), you may receive up to $1,700 per qualifying child.
For 2024 taxes (for returns filed in 2025), the IRS Child Tax Credit is worth up to $2,000 for each qualifying dependent child. You can claim this full amount if your income is at or below the modified adjusted gross income threshold (see the income phase out information below).
Changes to Certain Benefits
The five dependency tests – relationship, gross income, support, joint return and citizenship/residency – continue to apply to a qualifying relative. A child who is not a qualifying child might still be a dependent as a qualifying relative.
It's important to note that if two or more taxpayers claim the same child, the IRS will use the “tiebreaker rule” to figure out who is eligible. You can always speak about your specific situation with your Jackson Hewitt Tax Pro when questions arise.
This will usually be the person the child lives with most of the time. If you can't reach an agreement, you can both make a claim and let HMRC decide who will get the Child Benefit. There are complicated rules about who has priority but HMRC will usually give Child Benefit to the person the child lives with the most.
Child tax credit 2024
For 2024 (taxes filed in 2025), the child tax credit is worth up to $2,000 per qualifying dependent child.
If your parents meet eligibility criteria to claim you as financially dependent for tax purposes, it is usually more beneficial for them to do so rather than you claiming a deduction for yourself. Parents typically have a higher income since they are older and more established in their careers.
Married filing jointly is the most common filing status for married couples. This status has the highest standard deduction and some of the most beneficial tax rate brackets. You file together and report combined income, along with your combined deductions and qualifying credits on the same return.
By placing a “0” on line 5, you are indicating that you want the most amount of tax taken out of your pay each pay period. If you wish to claim 1 for yourself instead, then less tax is taken out of your pay each pay period.
Taxpayers can claim a child tax credit (CTC) of up to $2,000 for each child under age 17 who is a citizen. The credit is reduced by 5 percent of adjusted gross income over $200,000 for single parents ($400,000 for married couples).
It's up to you and your spouse. You might decide that the parent who gets the biggest tax benefit should claim the child. If you can't agree, however, the dependency claim goes to your spouse because your son lived with her for more of the year than he lived with you.
It's possible, but once you're over age 24, you can no longer be claimed as a qualifying child. The only exception to this is if you're permanently and totally disabled.
The IRS defines a dependent as a qualifying child (under age 19 or under 24 if a full-time student, or any age if permanently and totally disabled) or a qualifying relative. A qualifying dependent cannot provide more than half of their own annual support.
The Young Child Tax Credit (YCTC) provides up to $1,154 per eligible tax return for tax year 2024. YCTC may provide you with cash back or reduce any tax you owe. California families qualify with earned income of $31,950 or less.
College students who are funding more than half of their living expenses could see a financial benefit from filing independently. To file as an independent, however, a college student must provide for more than half of their financial needs. This includes housing, tuition, food, clothing, transportation, and more.