Child Tax Credit (CTC)

1. How it Works

CTC allows people with qualifying children to lessen their federal income tax by up to $1,000. You can claim both CTC and the credit for Child and Dependent Care expenses.

File your taxes by April 17, 2018
The child or dependent must be a US citizen or resident and must have lived with you for over half the year to qualify
You can claim your child, stepchild, adopted child, foster child, grandchild, or great-grandchild
If you have siblings, step-siblings, or half-siblings that live with you, you can also claim them
If you qualify, the government mails your refund or deposits it into your bank account
Refunds for filers who claim CTC will not be distributed until February 15

Next section:

2. Determine Your Eligibility

2. Determine your eligibility

To be eligible for Child Tax Credit you should be able to answer yes to these questions:

Do you have a child or dependent who is under 17 years old?
Is your dependent a US citizen, a US national, or a permanent resident?
Has your dependent lived with you for over half of the year?
Is your dependent claimed on your tax return?

Take a short survey to see if you might be eligible for this or 30 other programs.

Am I Eligible?

Next section:

3. What You Need to Include

3. What you need to include

It’s important to include the right documents when you apply. Your documents show whether the program is right for you.

This page can help you choose the right documents for your application.

If you want to receive your refund through direct deposit, you will need banking information (voided check and/or savings deposit slip). You should bring a copy of last year’s return, if it is available. The income documents listed are necessary to file your taxes.

For each person applying, any one document:

Driver license or official photo ID
Social Security Card for dependents
Social Security Card or ITIN

For each income source of each income earner, any one document:

Wages & Salary

W2 form

Self-employment

Records of earnings and expenses and/or 1099-Misc

Income from Rent or Room and Board

Document that shows amount of income

Child Support or Alimony

Alimony check stub
Child support check stub

Unemployment Income

1099-G

Social Security Benefits (SSI, Dependent, Disability, Survivor’s, or Retirement)

Correspondence from Social Security Administration

Pensions, Annuities, or IRA

1099-R

Interest/dividends/royalties

1099-DIV
1099-INT

Next section:

4. How to Apply

4. How to apply

Here are your options.

Apply online

The City can help you find a website where you can file your taxes for free.

File online

Apply in person

If you earn $54,000 or less (with children) or $30,000 or less (without children), you may be eligible to get your taxes done in-person for free.

To claim your CTC, you must file Form 1040, Form 1040A, or Form 1040NR.

Find a tax prep location

Come back to it later.
We can send you a link to this page to help you get back to it when you’re ready.

Tax relief for parents