Your child care credit is likely zero because it is a non-refundable credit that only reduces tax liability, you exceeded income limits, or you did not meet specific, strict IRS requirements like having both spouses work. Common reasons include filing separately, children being too old, or missing provider information.
To receive the credit for Child and Dependent Care Expenses, the expenses had to have been paid for care to be provided so that you (and your spouse, if filing jointly) could work or look for work. If both spouses do not show "earned income" (W-2's, business income, etc.), you generally cannot claim the credit.
Why is it saying 0 return when I have two kids? Why is it saying 0 return when I have two kids? All of the child-related credits require you to enter income you earned form working. If you have not yet entered your W-2's or 1099Misc from working then you will not see any credits like earned income or child tax credit.
Why am I not getting the child tax credit
To get the full Child Tax Credit (CTC) for the 2025 tax year (filed in 2026), your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) must generally not exceed $200,000 if single/head of household/qualifying widow(er), or $400,000 if married filing jointly; above these thresholds, the credit starts to decrease, and for the refundable portion (Additional Child Tax Credit or ACTC), you need at least $2,500 in earned income.
Your child tax credit is likely $500 instead of $2,000 because they either turned 17 during the tax year, making them eligible for the Other Dependent Credit, or you might have mistakenly checked a box in your tax software, like saying their SSN isn't valid for employment or that they paid over half their own support, which triggers the lower credit amount, according to TurboTax support, TurboTax support, TurboTax support, and TurboTax support https://ttlc.intuit.index.php/community/taxes/discussion/my-daughter-is-17-but-is-still-jr-in-high-school-why-do-i-only-get-500-for-her-and-not-the-full-2000/00/3423950.
You might be disqualified from the Child Tax Credit (CTC) if your child is too old (17+), doesn't meet relationship/residency/citizenship tests, you claim them as a dependent but can't, or your income is too high (phasing out) or too low (limiting the refundable part), or if the non-custodial parent claims them. Other disqualifiers include the child having an ITIN instead of a Social Security Number (SSN) or filing a joint tax return.
In order to claim the EITC or CTC for a child, it is not enough that you are taking care of them. You must also be related to them, either by blood or marriage, or through legal adoption, foster care, or a custody order. To prove: Send copies of birth certificates, custody orders, or DNA tests.
If you don't receive your CCB payment on the expected payment date, before you contact us, you can: Check the status of your payment in your CRA account. Make sure your personal information is up to date. Check other reasons for stopped or changed payments.
What's your net business income after expenses? The additional child tax credit is limited to 15% of your earned income over 2500, so you would only get a small amount of that, and none on the regular child tax credit.
To receive a copy of your child's credit report, you will need to contact three main credit bureaus — Experian™, Equifax ® and TransUnion ® — to see if they have a report on file for your child. You can do this by accessing their websites or calling.
If you claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), the IRS cannot issue these refunds before mid-February. This applies to the entire refund, even the portion not associated with these credits. Check Where's My Refund in mid-to late February for your personalized refund date.
The Child and Dependent Care Credit (CDCC) income limits depend on your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), phasing down the credit percentage as income rises, with the rate falling from 35% (for AGIs up to $15,000) to 20% (for AGIs over $43,000), though some states and future tax years (like 2026) may have different rules and higher income thresholds, making the credit smaller at higher incomes but still available for many, unlike the Child Tax Credit which has specific income caps for full amounts.
Yes, you may claim the child tax credit (CTC)/additional child tax credit (ACTC) or credit for other dependents (ODC) as well as the child and dependent care credit on your return if you qualify for those credits.
The Child Tax Credit begins to decrease if your income exceeds $200,000 (or $400,000 for joint filers). Qualifications for the Child Tax Credit depend on several factors including the child's age, relationship, residency, and the taxpayer's income.
Overview. The Young Child Tax Credit (YCTC) provides up to $1,189 per eligible tax return for tax year 2025. YCTC may provide you with cash back or reduce any tax you owe. California families qualify with earned income of $32,900 or less.
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.
Tax credits ended for everyone on 5 April 2025. You might still get a letter from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to say you need to pay back a tax credits overpayment. You should deal with this as soon as possible.
For the federal Child Tax Credit (CTC), the full amount starts phasing out when Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) exceeds $200,000 for single filers and $400,000 for married couples filing jointly, with the credit reduced by $50 for every $1,000 over these thresholds, though some states offer separate CTCs with different income limits. To claim the federal CTC, you generally need a qualifying child with a Social Security Number and must meet other dependency rules, and you may get a partial credit even with higher income.
Your child doesn't qualify
Most errors happen because the child claimed doesn't meet the qualification rules: Relationship: The child must be related to you. Residency: The child must live in the same home as you for more than half the tax year. Age: The child must meet the age requirements.